Time to drop tariffs, admit we are at 'peak FTA' and take on a new trade negotiation strategy, Sense Partners report

Time to drop tariffs, admit we are at 'peak FTA' and take on a new trade negotiation strategy, Sense Partners report
Sense Partners says we have hit 'peak FTA'. (Image: Unsplash)
Dileepa Fonseka
There are only a handful of free trade agreements still worth pursuing, according to Sense Partners, which suggests we should unilaterally drop all tariffs because they are only hurting New Zealand.  A Sense Partners discussion paper on trade policy advances the argument that NZ should be less focused on its strategy of the past three decades of trying to get tariff reductions and instead focus on improving economic wellbeing and reducing the cost of NZ firms doing business overseas. Previously, Sense Partners released a report with a...

More Policy

$200m gas fund may not be enough as Māui closure looms
Policy

$200m gas fund may not be enough as Māui closure looms

The fund has been expanded to cover gas storage.

Seymour promotes coal, nuclear, and privatisation
Policy

Seymour promotes coal, nuclear, and privatisation

Burning some coal to enable more renewable power "not a bad deal".

Pattrick Smellie 05 Nov 2025
EPA head quits with fast-track changes
Policy

EPA head quits with fast-track changes

The latest fast-track reforms go far beyond supermarket resource consenting.

DoC admits error: no decisions yet on stewardship land
Policy

DoC admits error: no decisions yet on stewardship land

The annual report mistake says announcements were made ... they weren't.

Ian Llewellyn 05 Nov 2025