Hon Todd McClay

Minister of Trade

24 March 2017
Ministerial Advisory Group on trade announced

Trade Minister Todd McClay has announced the formation of a Ministerial Advisory Group on trade to ensure the public is better informed on trade issues.

The Ministerial Advisory Group (MAG), part of today’s Trade Agenda 2030 announcement, includes representation from iwi, unions and NGOs, as well as industry bodies for primary industry, wood, tourism, education, horticulture, aviation and technology.

“Trade is of vital importance to New Zealand, helping support jobs and incomes and our growing economy, and we all have a stake in our trading future,” Mr McClay says.

“With the Government today renewing its commitment to free trade and forging new trade ties, it is important we take New Zealand with us – the MAG will help ensure that.

“It will allow the Government to consult with a wide array of stakeholders on trade issues, and ensure they have their say. The MAG will have the opportunity to provide feedback directly to me on developments in the trade agenda and will help to identify issues of importance.”

The MAG was identified as a key priority following public meetings in 2016 which were held to allow the public to have its say on the new trade agenda.

“I am very pleased with the quality of the MAG membership and look forward to working constructively with them to advance important trade issues,” Mr McClay says.

More information can be found at www.mfat.govt.nz/tradeagenda2030.

MAG MEMBERS

Federated Farmers President - William Rolleston
Beef and Lamb Chair James Parsons
Meat Industry Association CEO Tim Ritchie
DCANZ Chair Malcom Bailey
Horticulture NZ CEO Mike Chapman
Pipfruit NZ Chair Nadine Tunley
NZ Winegrowers CEO Phillip Gregan
Seafood NZ CEO Tim Pankhurst
Wood Council of New Zealand Chair Brian Stanley
Tourism Industry Association CEO Chris Roberts
Maori Tourism NZ Chair Pania Tyson-Nathan
Aviation Industry Association CEO John Nicholson
NZ Tech CEO Graeme Muller
Universities New Zealand Chair Prof. Stuart McCutcheon
NZ Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics Chair Charles Finny
Business NZ CEO Kirk Hope
Export NZ CEO Catherine Beard
IBF Executive Director Stephen Jacobi
Federation of Māori Authorities Chair Tracy Houpapa
Iwi Leaders Forum Chair Ngahiwi Tomoana (Ngāti Kahungunu)
Oxfam Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier
WWF Chair Dr Morgan Williams
Council of Trade Unions President Richard Wagstaff

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