Watch: PM to promote benefits of Indian FTA ahead of Narendra Modi visit

Author: Adam Pearse ,
Publish Date: Mon, 6 Jul 2026, 2:10pm

The Government says the Free Trade Agreement negotiated with India is boosting exports already - even though it is still some time away from entering into force.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Trade Minister Todd McClay are speaking to media in Auckland from about 2.45pm to promote the trade deal’s benefits.

McClay published figures this afternoon saying export volumes to India had increased “because businesses and customers can see the quality of what New Zealand has to offer”.

“We’ve seen this pattern with other trade deals. Exports start growing as soon as people spot the opportunity, and the India FTA is no different. The benefits will only grow once the agreement is up and running.”

McClay said apple volumes were “a stand-out”.

“Since negotiations began, volumes have jumped 63% on the 2024 season, from 27,000 tonnes to 45,000 tonnes so far this year with the season still going.

“In just two years India has climbed from our seventh-largest apple market to our fourth,” McClay said.

The other area McClay highlighted was tourism.

“Visitor arrivals from India are reaching new heights even before the FTA takes effect.

“April 2026 saw around 8000 Indian visitors, well up on the same month in previous years,” McClay said.

McClay used the stats to highlight why he believed it was important for Parliament to move quickly to ratify the deal.

If New Zealand ratifies its agreement with India before the European Union ratifies its own deal with India, then New Zealand will be able to benefit from the European deal’s better conditions for wine exports - thanks to most-favoured nation clauses.

“This is exactly why timely ratification matters. Getting our agreement in force ahead of the EU’s means New Zealand exporters capture those improved terms from day one.

“This momentum is down to the hard work of New Zealand exporters who got in early, built relationships and positioned themselves to make the most of the FTA when it kicks in. I’m confident we’ll see plenty more success stories in the months ahead,” McClay said.

Adam Pearse is the Deputy Political Editor and part of the NZ Herald’s Press Gallery team based at Parliament in Wellington. He has worked for NZME since 2018, reporting for the Northern Advocate in Whangārei and the Herald in Auckland.