Strong trade bonds between Fiji and New Zealand
Message from the New Zealand Trade Com_ mission – Te Taurapa Tuhono
FOR centuries, Aotearoa New Zealand's connections across the Pacific – connections of family, friendship, culture, and commerce – have woven us together.
Today, these bonds remain as strong as ever, evident in the huge trade growth in our region.
In the year to September 2023, New Zealand's two-way trade with the Pacific was more than NZ$3.7 billion, making the Pacific region our seventh largest export partner.
Within the region, Fiji remains our largest trading partner by far, and continues to represent a bigger market for New Zealand than much larger global economies like France, Mexico or Italy. On this Waitangi Day, we acknowledge the role that our trade and business connections continue to play in bringing our countries together and underpinning our mutual prosperity.
Fiji's historic trade and investment mission to New Zealand led by Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica last March; the visit to Fiji last April by New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister and accompanying business delegation; and the continuing strength and activity of the sister business councils in both our countries all reflect the excellent health of our commercial and business ties.
That health is also reflected in the phenomenal growth in trade between us.
Beyond Fiji's remarkable recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic, the value of trade between our countries is now the highest it has ever been. In the latest Statistics New Zealand trade data, from the year to September 2023, our two-way total trade had risen by nearly 60 percent to a record value of NZ$1.3 billion (FJ$1.78b).
Fiji's exports to New Zealand increased even more spectacularly, by 86 per cent year on year, to NZ$502 million (FJ$688m).
As ever, much of this growth is driven by tourism and travel services, reflecting New Zealanders' love for Fiji's spectacular world class tourism offerings.
But at the same time, Fijian goods exports to New Zealand have also increased impressively – up 24 percent compared to 2019, with vegetables and apparel as leading sectors.
And there is still potential to do so much more. New Zealand businesses are keen to remain partners of choice in every sector.
And there remains a strong pipeline of New Zealand businesses actively exploring opportunities to partner and invest in this country. In June this year we will see another significant New Zealand business mission to Fiji and a joint conference between our Business Councils.
And we are looking forward to the opportunity later in October to once again showcase the best of New Zealand products and services at the Fiji Hotel and Tourism _ Association's _ HOTEC _ tradeshow. No reira – nga mihi nui ki tenei ra o Waitangi (therefore be_st w_ishes
to you all this Waitangi Day). Tena tatou katoa (greetings to you all).