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Treasury secretary Gabs Makhlouf asked panel what keeps them awake at night in relation to TPP. Cal Cohen – a nightmare that the negotiations not include the US. Urge the negotiators to achieve high standards but do expeditiously. Can’t expect Canada to open up dairy market if we won’t open up sugar. Also apparel for a country like Vietnam it …

Foreign Minister Murray McCully spoke to the US-NZ Pacific Partnership forum yesterday setting the scene with a speech focused on bilateralism. Thank you for being here. It’s great to be back in Washington, and to see so many friends of New Zealand here today. I attended the first of these forums in April 2006 and each subsequent gathering. I want …

New Zealand Oil & Gas chairman Peter Griffiths has thrown his support behind legislative moves to make directors liable if the companies they govern fail to meet health and safety obligations. The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and the Institute of Directors yesterday released health and safety governance guidelines for directors outlining best practice and advice for company boards. …

After brief detours in Samoa, Hawaii and Los Angeles, we’re finally here in DC. Flying on the Airforce Boeing was certainly an experience – amazing food and so much room, the VHS based entertainment system was an interesting touch though. Keen as ever, we hadn’t been in DC for two hours and a strong group from the younger contingent were …

Six USTRs (United States Trade Representatives) shared their Olympian insights into the intricacies of global trade at the Pacific Partnership forum in Washington this week. The big talking points were the opportunities and realities of the TPP negotiations, the US EU international trade and investment agreement, and the WTO. The Trans Pacific Partnership agreement – with a due completion date …

WHAT: 2013 US-NZ Pacific Partnership Form, a global gathering of 275+ game-changing thought leaders from business, government and non-profits, showcasing examples of what’s next for US-NZ relations and in the Asia-Pacific region. WHO: William J. Burns, US Deputy Secretary of State Robert Hormats, US Under Secretary of State for Economic Growth, Energy and the Environment Alan Bersin, US Assistant Secretary …

Progress in the Government’s programme while on track to surplus Provides a suite of measures to build faster economic growth, support more jobs and deliver a more innovative and productive economy. Forecasts economic growth to average between 2 and 3 per cent a year over the next four years. Includes a $100 million-a-year internationally-focused growth and innovation package to boost …

Bill English has been too conservative in reigning in government expenditure.  If he were confronting a bleaker fiscal picture, like the Australian government, I predict he would have done better. Total government spending in New Zealand is down by $1.4 billion on last year. In Australia total taxes to GDP is 22 percent compared with central government taxation of 32 …

With the 2013 Pacific Partnership Forum just days away from opening, new research has been released reinforcing the importance of the United States as a trading partner for New Zealand. The research, commissioned by the NZ US Council was conducted by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research and analyses the economic and trade relations between the US and NZ. …

ACT New Zealand Primary Industries spokesman Don Nicolson called for an urgent inquiry into monopoly kiwifruit exporter ZESPRI International’s operations after allegations of dodgy business practices were highlighted on TVNZ’s ‘One News’ last night. It is alleged that ZESPRI had full knowledge of the actions of their importer in China and was complicit in their actions to defraud the Chinese …