Hong Kong/New Zealand Negotiations on a Closer Economic Partnership Agreement

Summary of Submissions Received in Response to the Discussion Document

The following is a summary of the written submissions received to date in response to the Government's discussion paper "Hong Kong and New Zealand: Initial Analysis of the Bilateral Trade and Economic Relationship as Background to a Possible Closer Economic Partnership Agreement" released by the Minister for Trade Negotiations in April. Also included is a note on key comments and issues raised during public consultation meetings in the five main centres held during May and early June. This consultation is continuing.

Disclaimer

In view of the number and length of submissions received, this summary has been prepared to assist readers. Every effort has been made to record accurately the views of submitters. Any errors (eg of emphasis) or omissions are unintentional. A number of submissions or comments which the submitters asked be treated as 'commercial in confidence' will be omitted from the version of this summary released publicly. Readers are referred to the actual written submissions for the authoritative version of submitters' views. A copy of all submissions received is obtainable from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, contact: Suzanne Weaver (tel 04-4732030) or e-mail: 'suzanne.weaver@mfat.govt.nz'.

Written submissions were received from:

New Zealand Council of Trade Unions
Business New Zealand
Federated Farmers
Auckland Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association and New Zealand China Trade Association
Retail Merchants Association of New Zealand Inc.
Employers and Manufacturers Association (Northern)
New Zealand Footwear Industry Association
Apparel and Textile Federation
Plastics Institute of New Zealand
Horowhenua Textiles and Apparel Cluster Group
Meat Industry Association
Meat New Zealand
Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce
New Zealand Business Roundtable
New Zealand Committee of the Pacific Economic Co-operation Council
Action, Research and Education Network of Aotearoa (ARENA.)
Association of University Staff
Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society
Christchurch City Council
Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand
Ecoaction, Victoria University
New Zealand University Students Association
Victoria Education Action Group
Victoria University of Wellington Students Association
Radical Society of Aotearoa
Annette Hamblett and Michael Hamblett
Sir Frank Holmes
Toby Heale
Timothy Brears
New Zealand Stock Exchange
Transend (NZ Post)
Auckland University Master of International Business Students
Geoff Keey
Heather J McNaughtan
Sinclair Knight Merz
Nelson and Judith Bell
Jane Kelsey (re-submitted her submission on NZ-Singapore CEP.)

In addition letters or comment were recieved from:-

Peggy Ashton
Paul Clark
Tower Holdings Ltd
Wine Institute of New Zealand Inc.
Fiona M Johnston
Furniture Association of New Zealand Inc.
Kari Hunter
Gwenda Martin
Diederic Ruarus
Roger Dowling
Sofia Gilgenberg