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13 May 2025: UK-New Zealand FTA Joint Committee – public summary

Published 19 September 2025

UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Joint Committee – public summary

Summary of discussions

The UK and New Zealand had productive discussions on the bilateral FTA, which entered into force on 31 May 2023. The parties reviewed the operation of the Agreement and noted its importance in underpinning a growing trade relationship. The Agreement had made positive progress in its second year of operation, and trade had continued to grow between our countries.

Corrections to FTA text

The UK and New Zealand signed and exchanged letters to correct drafting errors in Annex 7A (Wine and Distilled Spirits) and Chapter 22 (Environment). A copy of the signed letters can be found in Attachment 1.

Wine and distilled spirits

Both parties signed a document modifying Appendix 7A-a. A copy of the signed document can be found in Attachment 2. The UK accepted 4 of 5 proposed oenological practices listed under the side letter to the FTA. New Zealand noted it continues to support the UK towards making an application for a definition of whisky under the Food Standards Code of Australia and New Zealand.

Labour, environment and climate change

New Zealand reported the establishment of its Domestic Advisory Group in March 2025 and that both parties had conducted stakeholder engagement through the Joint Public Session held on 30 April 2025. Collaboration areas included, amongst other areas:

• eco-labelling
• offshore wind
• green hydrogen
• sustainable finance

The UK reflected on recent dialogues and outlined future actions.

Services, investment & digital

The Professional Services Working Group was welcomed as a platform for facilitating regulatory alignment. The Legal Services Regulatory Dialogue was held and will reconvene in due course. New Zealand emphasised the importance of reviewing the Digital Trade chapter.

Intellectual property

New Zealand confirmed the Artist Resale Royalty Scheme entered into force on 1 December 2024. Discussions included reciprocal operation, geographical indicators, and copyright provisions triggered by the EU-NZ FTA.

Goods

The UK and New Zealand exchanged Preference Utilisation Rate (PUR) data, which was published as part of the Joint Statement and covers the period from June 2023 to December 2024. Discussions also touched on digitising meat certification processes and advancing paperless trade pilots. The complexities surrounding the Northern Ireland border were acknowledged.

Inclusive trade

Progress was noted in the Inclusive Trade Sub-Committee. New Zealand highlighted Māori engagement. Both parties discussed the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) workshops which had been held, as well as impacts of trade on women and the impacts the FTA has on trade and gender.

Next steps

New Zealand offered to host the next Joint Committee meeting in Wellington. Coordination on 2026 sub-committees and working groups was agreed.

Attachment 1

Exchange of letters to correct errors in the Free Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and New Zealand.

Letter 1

Dominic James, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Senior Official, to Melanie Roberts, New Zealand Senior Official.

London, United Kingdom, 13 May 2025.

Dear Ms Roberts,

I have the honour to refer to the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (‘The United Kingdom’) and New Zealand, on 28 February 2022 (‘the Agreement’), and to recent discussions between our respective governments concerning the desirability of correcting 3 drafting errors found in the Agreement.

UK-New Zealand FTA Chapter 7: Technical Barriers to Trade

Further to those discussions, I have the honour to propose that the reference in Article 21(b) of Appendix 7A-a to Annex 7A (Wine and Distilled Spirits) to “wine distillate for tirage liqueur only” be replaced by:

“wine distillate for expedition liqueur only”.

UK-New Zealand FTA Chapter 22: Environment

I have the honour to propose that in the reference in paragraph 9 of Article 22.9 of the Agreement to “paragraph 5” by replaced by:

“paragraph 6”.

Finally, the references in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 22.26 of the Agreement, to “a matter arising under paragraphs 2 or 4 of Article 22.4 (General Commitments)” are to be replaced by:

“a matter arising under paragraphs 3 or 4 of Article 22.4 (General Commitments)”.

I have the honour to propose, pursuant to Article 79(1)(b) of the Vienna Convention of the Law of Treaties (1969), with the consent of your government, that the Agreement be corrected in accordance with the above. Accordingly, the correct text above will replace the defective text ab initio.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you the assurance of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Dominic James, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Senior Official, Department for Business and Trade.

Letter 2

Melanie Roberts, New Zealand Senior Official to Dominic James, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Senior Official.

London, 13 May 2025.

Dear Mr James,

I am pleased to acknowledge receipt of your letter 1 of 12 January which reads as follows:

Dear Ms Roberts,

I have the honour to refer to the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (‘The United Kingdom’) and New Zealand, on 28 February 2022 (‘the Agreement’), and to recent discussions between our respective governments concerning the desirability of correcting 3 drafting errors found in the Agreement.

UK-New Zealand FTA Chapter 7: Technical Barriers to Trade

Further to those discussions, I have the honour to propose that the reference in Article 21(b) of Appendix 7A-a to Annex 7A (Wine and Distilled Spirits) to “wine distillate for tirage liqueur only” be replaced by:

“wine distillate for expedition liqueur only”.

UK-New Zealand FTA Chapter 22: Environment

I have the honour to propose that in the reference in paragraph 9 of Article 22.9 of the Agreement to “paragraph 5” by replaced by:

“paragraph 6”.

Finally, the references in paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 22.26 of the Agreement, to “a matter arising under paragraphs 2 or 4 of Article 22.4 (General Commitments)” are to be replaced by:

“a matter arising under paragraphs 3 or 4 of Article 22.4 (General Commitments)”.

I have the honour to propose, pursuant to Article 79(1)(b) of the Vienna Convention of the Law of Treaties (1969), with the consent of your government, that the Agreement be corrected in accordance with the above. Accordingly, the correct text above will replace the defective text ab initio.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you the assurance of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Dominic James, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Senior Official, Department for Business and Trade.

I have the honour to confirm that the Government of New Zealand accepts this proposal in your letter 1. The Government of New Zealand considers your letter 1 and this letter 2 in reply, as a correction of the Agreement, pursuant to Article 79(1)(b) of the Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties. The corrected text above will replace the defective text ab initio.

I avail myself of this opportunity to renew to you the assurance of my highest consideration.

Yours sincerely,

Melanie Roberts, New Zealand Senior Official, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Attachment 2

Decision No. 1/2025 of the UK-New Zealand Joint Committee 13 May 2025

Modifying Appendix 7A-a to Annex 7A (Wine and Distilled Spirits) to the FTA between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and New Zealand.

The Joint Committee

Having regard to Chapter 7 of the FTA between the United Kingdom (‘the United Kingdom’) of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and New Zealand (‘the Agreement’),

Whereas:

1. Pursuant to paragraph 18 of Section A (Wine) of Annex 7A (Wine and Distilled Spirits) to the Agreement, the United Kingdom authorises the importation and sale of wine for human consumption produced in New Zealand in accordance with the oenological practices authorised under (a) the laws and regulations of the United Kingdom, or (b) the laws and regulations of New Zealand and listed in Appendix 7A-a to Annex 7A.

2. By way of a side letter dated 28 February 2022 (‘the side letter’), the Government of the United Kingdom decided to assess 5 additional oenological practices for wine production in New Zealand specified in paragraph 4 of that side letter. Following the outcome of that assessment, and in accordance with the procedure set out in the side letter, the United Kingdom notified the Wine and Distilled Spirits Working Group established under Article 30.10.4(b) of the Agreement that 4 of those additional oenological practices specified in paragraph 4.1 (ammonium chloride), 4.2(a) (alginic acid), 4.2(b) (agar), and 4.4 (potassium ferrocyanide) of the side letter had been accepted.

3. Pursuant to paragraph 1(c) of Section C (General Provisions) of Annex 7A, the Wine and Distilled Spirits Working Group requested the Trade in Goods Sub-Committee established under Article 30.9.1(a) of the Agreement to make a referral to the Joint Committee established under Article 30.1 of the Agreement to consider and adopt a modification of Appendix 7A-a to Annex 7A in order to add the 4 additional oenological practices for wine production in New Zealand to the list in Appendix 7A-a to Annex 7A.

4. The Joint committee may, pursuant to Article 30.2.2(g)(v) of the Agreement, consider and adopt a modification of Appendix 7A-a to Annex 7A and, in accordance with Article 30.4.1 of the Agreement, take a decision to that effect.

5. The Joint Committee has considered the proposed modification and decided to modify Appendix 7A-a to Annex 7A.

Has adopted this decision

Modification of Appendix 7A-a to Annex 7A

1. Appendix 7A-a to Annex 7A (Wine and Distilled Spirits) of the Agreement is modified as follows.

2. In paragraph 2 (substances approved for use in fermentation), after subparagraph (i) insert:

“(j) ammonium chloride.”.

3․ In paragraph 7 (substances approved for use in clarification), after subparagraph (v) insert:

“(w) agar; (x) alginic acid.”.

4․ In paragraph 8 (substances approved for use in stabilisation and preservation), after subparagraph (r) insert:

“(s) potassium ferrocyanide up to a maximum of 0.1mg/kg.”.

This Decision shall enter into force on 13 May 2025.

For the Joint Committee

The Co-Chair and Head of the United Kingdom Delegation, Dominic James, and, The Co-Chair and Head of the New Zealand Delegation, Melanie Roberts.