Sourced Content (NZTE)
Wellington, March 22, 2025
Thirty-three new business partnerships and other commercial outcomes were advanced during Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s Mission to India from March 16 to March 21, 2025, underlining the considerable potential of India to New Zealand’s exporters and laying the foundation for long-term trade growth.
Supported by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), the Mission made significant progress towards the government’s goal of developing a broad, deep and enduring strategic relationship with India, scaling up trade and cultivating strong connections across Education, Tourism, Sport and Culture. The economic impact of the Mission was further enhanced by the launch of negotiations on a Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement between New Zealand and India, and bilateral agreements to strengthen ties in horticulture and forestry.
Over four days, the senior business delegation, led by Dame Therese Walsh, Chair of Air New Zealand and ASB, and Sports Ambassador and former New Zealand Cricketer Ross Taylor, embraced the opportunity to deepen knowledge and lift engagement with one of the world’s largest and fastest growing economies.
The Business Delegation
Editor’s Note: The delegation included Air New Zealand, ANZ New Zealand, Asia New Zealand Foundation, ASB Bank, Auckland Airport, Auckland Business Chamber, Bank of New Zealand, Christchurch Airport, Fonterra Cooperative Group, Fresco New Zealand, HamiltonJet, Hind Management (Sudima Hotels), India New Zealand Business Council, Meat Industry Association, Morrison Global, New Zealand Cricket, Ngai Tahu Holdings, New Zealand Forest Managers, NZ Inc, New Zealand Super Fund, Pan Pac Forest Products Ltd, Plant & Food Research, Quality New Zealand Group, Rakon Limited, Scales Corporation Mr Apple, Serko Limited, Slumberzone, Spark New Zealand, Te Pūkenga (New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology), Te Taumata, The Mānuka Collective, University of Auckland, University of Waikato, Valocity Global, Whitecliffe Education, Woolworks, World of WearableArt and Zespri.
Dame Theresa said that the business delegation worked hard to build connections and deliver partnerships that will have a significant impact on New Zealand’s long-term growth aspirations.
“As the fifth largest economy in the world, India is vital to New Zealand’s economic prosperity. I am confident that through this visit we have made a highly positive impression that will stand us in good stead for the future,” she said.
Rich with potential
NZTE Chief Executive Peter Chrisp said, “When we think about India, we think about potential. This is a young, energetic, fast-growing economy. They can add value to us, and we can add value to them. It’s all about building a set of long-term, enduring partnerships.”
The Prime Minister was accompanied by Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment, Mark Mitchell, Minister for Sport and Recreation, and Louise Upston, Minister for Tourism and Hospitality.
Mr McClay said that the Mission has been hugely successful at highlighting the many ways in which New Zealand and India can prosper through closer trade ties.
“We are committed to building connections across key sectors such as digital technologies, primary industries, advanced manufacturing, and aerospace cooperation, all areas where New Zealand and India can complement each other’s growth,” he said.
Some of the companies making announcements, launching partnerships and signing Memorandums of Understanding (MoU) on the mission included: Air New Zealand, Auckland Airport, Christchurch Airport, Ngāi Tahu Tourism, Serko, Rakon, Slumberzone, Valocity, World of Wearable Art, New Zealand Fashion Week, QualityNZ Group, University of Auckland, University of Waikato, Whitecliffe Education, Te Pūkenga, New Zealand Forest Managers, Gallagher Security, STAAH and Anagenix Limited.
India is New Zealand’s 12th largest trading partner with bilateral trade worth $3.1 billion in the year to December 2024. Lifting trade with India will contribute towards achieving the government’s goal to double the value of exports over the next ten years.
