The Closer Economic Partnership agreement between New Zealand and Hong Kong will come into force on 1 January.
The start date comes after a meeting between the Trade Minister Tim Groser and Hong Kong's Financial Secretary John Tsang, in Auckland.
Mr Groser said the framework of the partnership would help New Zealand companies wanting to trade with Hong Kong or build their businesses there.
Hong Kong is New Zealand's ninth largest export market, worth $850 million in the year to September.
