29 Jul 2008

Law passed to enact free trade deal with China

4:30 pm on 29 July 2008

The New Zealand Parliament has passed legislation to enact a free trade deal with China.

The agreement - estimated to be worth about $350 million a year to the economy - will allow greater access for dairy products and other New Zealand goods.

It includes an end to tariffs on 96% of New Zealand exports to China by 2019.

The bill passed by 104 votes to 17, with opposition from the New Zealand First Party, the Green Party and the Maori Party.

New Zealand is the first Western country to sign a free trade deal with China.