Source: New Zealand Government
Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay will host the Australian Trade and Tourism Minister, Senator the Hon Don Farrell, in Auckland on Friday for the annual Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Ministers meeting.
Minister McClay and Minister Farrell will also meet with a range of trans-Tasman businesses at an event hosted by the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum to discuss enhancing the strength and resilience of the trans-Tasman partnership.
“Working together is more important than ever in the face of increased global economic volatility,” Minister McClay says.
“As New Zealand builds and deepens our trade relationships across the world, it’s important that we don’t take our trade links with Australia for granted. Australia is typically the first export destination for New Zealand companies,” Mr McClay says.
In 2025, our two-way trade with Australia was worth $35 billion and involved around 25,000 trans-Tasman businesses.
During his visit to New Zealand, Minister Farrell will also meet with Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston to discuss opportunities to support tourism growth and strengthen connections between our two countries.
“Australia is our largest international visitor market, with strong tourism links supporting businesses, communities and travellers on both sides of the Tasman,” Minister Upston says.
“This is an opportunity to discuss our shared tourism priorities and strengthen the close relationship that already exists.”
Minister McClay will also host Minister Farrell in the Bay of Islands for a programme focused on Māori tourism and regional economic development.
Original source: https://nz.mil-osi.com/2026/09/02/cer-trade-and-tourism-ministers-to-discuss-greater-cooperation/