Story perspectives

Modi Visits NZ as 95% Tariff-Cut Deal Signed

7/3/2026

Summary

Story summary

A free-trade agreement signed in April will cut 95 % of New Zealand-origin tariffs.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Auckland on July 10-11, the first such visit in four decades.
The agenda includes trade, investment, maritime security, education, technology, tourism, sport and global issues.
Luxon said the pact should create jobs, boost exports and raise wages in Kiwi communities.

History

Historical Context

After Britain’s 1973 EEC entry cut New Zealand’s traditional market, Canberra and Wellington signed the Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations agreement in 1983, fully removing tariffs by 1 July 1990 and expanding bilateral trade to NZ$26.2 billion by 2017-18. Building on that model, Prime Ministers Christopher Luxon and Narendra Modi announced a 2024 NZ-India free-trade pact that will cut 95 % of NZ-origin tariffs, aiming to double Indian-bound exports.

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Story summary

A free-trade agreement signed in April will cut 95 % of New Zealand-origin tariffs.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in Auckland on July 10-11, the first such visit in four decades.
The agenda includes trade, investment, maritime security, education, technology, tourism, sport and global issues.
Luxon said the pact should create jobs, boost exports and raise wages in Kiwi communities.

1 / 2