Kiwis ink trade deal with UK

LONDON: Britain and New Zealand have unveiled a comprehensive free trade deal, including a commitment aimed at preventing the revered Maori cultural tradition of the haka, famously performed by the All Blacks, from being misused.

The in-principle deal was sealed in a video call between British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his New Zealand counterpart Jacinda Ardern, following 16 months of talks.

Mr Johnson said it was a “big moment” that strengthened Britain’s friendship with New Zealand and cemented London’s ties in the region.

He likened negotiations for Britain’s latest post-Brexit trade deal to a rugby match.

“I’m absolutely thrilled that we seem to have driven for the line, we’ve scrummed down, we’ve packed tight and together we’ve got the ball over the line,” he said.

Ms Ardern continued the sporting analogy, saying on Thursday that “unlike a rugby match, I think we can literally both come off the field feeling like winners”.

London said the deal ends tariffs on British exports such as clothing, footwear, ships and bulldozers.

Tariffs on goods coming the other way, such as wine, kiwifruit and meat, will also be axed.

“It’s one of our best deals ever and secured at a crucial time in our Covid recovery,” Ms Ardern said.