AM Edition: Top 10 Politics Articles on LiveNews.co.nz for July 7, 2026 – Full Text

Source: New Zealand Government

New Zealand exporters are seeing major gains in India as demand grows for high-quality Kiwi products, and the Free Trade Agreement hasn’t even come into force yet, Trade Minister Todd McClay says.

“The New Zealand-India FTA has been signed and is now before Parliament. We expect it to enter into force later this year, but we’re already seeing a strong halo effect. Export volumes are up because businesses and customers can see the quality of what New Zealand has to offer.

“We’ve seen this pattern with other trade deals. Exports start growing as soon as people spot the opportunity, and the India FTA is no different. The benefits will only grow once the agreement is up and running.”

On entry into force, 57 per cent of New Zealand exports to India will be tariff-free from day one, with more benefits phasing in over time.

Strong momentum for apples

Apples are a stand-out. Since negotiations began, volumes have jumped 63 per cent on the 2024 season, from 27,000 tonnes to 45,000 tonnes so far this year with the season still going. In just two years India has climbed from our seventh-largest apple market to our fourth.

“Once the FTA takes effect, apple tariffs halve to 25 per cent from day one on an initial quota of 32,500 tonnes, rising to 45,000 tonnes by year six. That’s a real financial boost for growers,” Mr McClay says.

Significant gains for kiwifruit growers

Kiwifruit growers also stand to gain. The deal delivers tariff-free access within a new quota starting at 6,250 tonnes and rising to 15,000 tonnes by year six, with tariffs halved outside the quota from the start. The industry expects around $125 million in tariff savings over five years.

Forestry and wool sectors benefiting

The engagement is flowing through to other sectors too. In June, Matariki Forests sent its first shipment of logs from Bluff to India since 2020, and chip and pulp exporters are reporting strong momentum. New Zealand recently hosted Indian wool delegations looking to access our premium fibres and expertise in processing, technology and advisory services.

Tourism growth underlines people-to-people links

Tourism is another bright spot. Visitor arrivals from India are reaching new heights even before the FTA takes effect. April 2026 saw around 8,000 Indian visitors, well up on the same month in previous years.

Air New Zealand just announced it is working on joint venture plans with Air India that would allow it to start the first direct services between our countries.

Securing better access for wine and services

There is also more on the table for wine and services. India agreed to improved access for both in its recently concluded agreement with the European Union, and under the Most Favoured Nation clause in our FTA, New Zealand automatically picks up those better terms once our agreement is in force.

“This is exactly why timely ratification matters. Getting our agreement in force ahead of the EU’s means New Zealand exporters capture those improved terms from day one. 

“This momentum is down to the hard work of New Zealand exporters who got in early, built relationships and positioned themselves to make the most of the FTA when it kicks in. I’m confident we’ll see plenty more success stories in the months ahead,” Mr McClay says.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/06/nz-india-fta-already-boosting-exports/

Source: New Zealand Government

Critical minerals processing projects on the West Coast will receive funding through the Regional Infrastructure Fund, signalling the Government’s backing of the sector to add export value, Regional Development and Resources Minister Shane Jones says.

The two projects – Tāiko Critical Minerals in Barrytown and Westland Mineral Sands near Westport – will receive funding of up to $50 million from the $80 million ring‑fenced in the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) to support development in the sector.

“By turning our natural resources into higher value products here in New Zealand, we are creating skilled jobs, strengthening our regional economies and the national economy by adding value to our exported products,” Mr Jones says.

“It is clear nations around the world are seeking to secure critical minerals for manufacturing and science. We have those minerals and this Government will back our industry to contribute to a diversified and secure critical minerals supply chain.”

Critical minerals are essential for modern economies and technologies, including clean energy systems, advanced manufacturing, electronics, aviation and medical equipment.

The two projects process ores containing critical minerals including titanium, zirconium and rare earth-bearing concentrates (monazite). 

Tāiko Critical Minerals will receive up to $20 million towards a $40 million wet separation plant planned as part of a wider mineral sands mining and processing operation. The project is consented to establish mine to market processing, using ore from privately owned farmland.

The Westland Mineral Sands project will receive $30 million towards progressing a proposed $70 million mineral separation and processing facility.

“Government support is vital, especially at the early stage of development. Resources projects often have multi‑decade lifespans, providing sustained economic activity rather than short‑term gains. This can offer greater certainty for regions, workers and local businesses,” Mr Jones says.

“Together, these two West Coast projects will establish domestic early-stage processing capability, add value to local resources, and support around 170 permanent high-value jobs, plus around 90 jobs during construction.”

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/06/govt-backs-nz-critical-minerals-processing/

MIL OSI

Source: Green Party

The Green Party is calling foul on the Luxon Government’s dismantling of environmental protection, announcing a policy programme to deliver clean drinking water, swimmable rivers and beaches, and healthy oceans for all New Zealanders.

“This is about protecting our taiao. The Green Party has announced its policy programme ‘Drink Swim Fish’ which will deliver far reaching environmental change and protect human and ecological health from harm caused by corporate greed,” says Green Party Co-leader Marama Davidson.

“Clean, healthy water is a human right, and has been a way of life in Aotearoa for many generations.

“But that way of life has been taken from today’s generations by weak rules that allow industrial scale exploitation. It is madness that in Aotearoa, up to 100,000 people become sick from unsafe drinking water every year, popular beaches and swimming spots are closed every summer, and our once common fish like our iconic tarakihi populations have been fished to the brink of collapse. 

“The Green Party’s policy package will reverse the widespread degradation of our environment, and protect human and ecological health from corporate greed,” says Marama.   

Among eight policy interventions, the Green Party will:  

• Protect drinking water by setting strong environmental limits and lowering nitrate limits. 
• Protect rivers and coasts by strengthening rules for wastewater discharges.  
• Protect our moana by phasing out destructive bottom trawling.

Green Party Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick says “There is no economy without the environment. When the Government fails to protect our environment we all pay the price in clean-up costs, in our people and animals getting sick, let alone the impact on our economy.”

“Safe drinking water, a swim at the local beach, and catching some snapper on the weekend should not be too much to ask in this beautiful country. 

“The recent outpouring of love for both public conservation land and our fish – against Luxon’s Government’s plans – have only reaffirmed that New Zealanders want environmental health prioritised over commercial profits. It’s in our nature.

“Only the Green Party will fix the rules so the health of our communities and environment always come first. New Zealanders can be sure this would mean all of us can drink, swim, and fish in the places we love,” says Chlöe.

For more info, visit Drink, Swim Fish – Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/07/06/people-and-nature-first-in-greens-rivers-and-oceans-policy/

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Source: Media Outreach

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach Newswire – 6 July 2026 – Oldham, Li & Nie (OLN) is pleased to announce the launch of its dedicated Family Office Services practice, expanding its capabilities in private wealth, trusts, succession planning, and cross-border structuring to meet the growing needs of international families.

Hong Kong has established itself as a premier destination for family offices, underpinned by common law system, attractive tax regime, and government-backed initiatives such as FamilyOfficeHK, tax concessions for Family-Owned Investment Holding Vehicles (FIHVs), and the New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (New CIES). In 2026, the city has become the world’s largest cross-boundary wealth management centre, according to the Boston Consulting Group[i], reinforcing its appeal for global wealth planning,

OLN’s new Family Office Services practice will provide integrated legal support across the following areas:

• Family Office Establishment and Structuring
• Wills and Succession Planning
• Trusts and Asset Protection
• Complex Estate Planning
• Cross-Border Tax and Structuring Advice, including the US and France elements
• International Family Office Coordination
• Ongoing Accounting and Reporting
• Outsourced CFO and COO Support
• Strategic Business Advisory Services Tailored to Family Offices and Private Investment Structures
• Litigation Support
• Immigration Law

“Hong Kong offers an exceptional platform for families seeking to build a lasting presence in Asia while staying closely connected to opportunities around the world,” said Gordon Oldham, Senior Partner. “At OLN, we understand that every family’s journey is unique. Drawing on our longstanding strengths across private client, tax and corporate services – as well as our dedicated US tax and French practices – we take a truly personal approach. We work alongside our clients to create tailored structures that not only protect and grow their wealth, but also reflect their values, aspirations and long-term legacy.”

The firm’s Family Office Services practice adopts a multidisciplinary approach, working closely with third-party fund managers and financial advisers.

For more information about the Family Office Services practice, please visit https://oln-law.com/practice-areas/family-office-services/

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Hashtag: #familyoffice #oln #successionplanning

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Source: Media Outreach

HUALIEN, TAIWAN – Media OutReach Newswire – 3 July 2026 – Taiwan’s premier summer music festival, the 2026 Hualien Summer Carnival, returns from July 1 to July 5, transforming Hualien’s Dongdamen Square into a five-night celebration of music, culture and tourism.

Now in its 19th year, the festival has grown into one of Taiwan’s largest outdoor music events, attracting tens of thousands of fans every summer. Set against Hualien’s breathtaking mountains and Pacific coastline, the event combines live performances with one of Asia’s most scenic festival experiences.

This year’s lineup features an impressive mix of award-winning Taiwanese artists, rising indie musicians and international performers. Headliners include Jam Hsiao, Show Lo, Accusefive, Sun Shu-mei, Hsu Fu-kai, MIXER, Aisa Senda, Chih Siou, Lee Chu-hsin and Chen Yi-no, representing pop, rock, folk and contemporary Taiwanese music.

Adding an international dimension, South Korean rock band ChRocktikal and CNU and Gongchan from K-pop group B1A4 will also perform, highlighting Hualien’s growing role as a cultural destination connecting audiences across Asia.Each festival night carries a unique musical theme, including：Nature & Adventure Night、Youth Power Night、Rock Explosion Night、Asia Wave Night、All-Star Finale.

The festival also showcases seven winning acts from Hualien’s emerging artist competition, giving local musicians the opportunity to share the stage with internationally recognized performers.

Organized by the Hualien County Government, the event reflects the county’s long-term vision of promoting cultural tourism through music while strengthening international exchange. By combining Taiwan’s original music scene with performances from across Asia, organizers hope to position Hualien not only as Taiwan’s summer music capital but also as an emerging destination for international music tourism.

Beyond the concerts, visitors can explore Hualien’s dramatic natural landscapes, indigenous culture, local cuisine and outdoor attractions, making the festival an ideal gateway to experience eastern Taiwan.

With free admission and five consecutive nights of live entertainment beneath the stars, the 2026 Hualien Summer Carnival invites music lovers from Taiwan and around the world to celebrate an unforgettable summer on Taiwan’s spectacular east coast.

Hashtag: #HualienSummerCarnival

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.

Source: Media Outreach

The acquisition of a 50% interest in A-Grade Sydney CBD office buildings located at 680 George Street and 50 Goulburn Street will be secured at a 60% discount to estimated replacement cost and provides a capitalisation rate of 7.5%. In our opinion, the entry price gives us confidence that we are acquiring the asset at a compelling valuation – creating the downside protection we seek in every investment opportunity.

The prime Sydney CBD office assets are integrated within the World Square mixed-use precinct providing 67,700 sqm of NLA across 45 levels with 93.4% occupancy. Anchor tenants include NSW Government departments and other national and multinational occupiers.

The Midtown precinct continues to benefit from improved connectivity through Sydney Metro and light rail infrastructure, while limited future office supply supports long-term fundamentals.

The acquisition reflects the growing appetite of Japanese corporate investors for Australian office opportunities, driven by views that valuations in Sydney and Brisbane have largely stabilized and near cyclical lows.

Nazmi Camalxaman, Managing Director of Kara Capital, said:

“For Japanese corporate investors, one of the greatest challenges of investing overseas is the information gap. In every market, there are intermediaries who profit from that gap and there are those whose purpose is to close it.

We believe investors make better decisions when they have better information.

That is why we are committed to educating our clients as much as we can and providing as much help as we can so that they can make a fully informed investment decision.

Our mission is to be an honest, transparent, patient and trusted deal sourcing partner for Japanese corporate investors — connecting them with best in class managers and highly selective deals so they can invest in Australia with confidence.”

Hashtag: #KaraCapital

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

– Published and distributed with permission of Media-Outreach.com.