Key Developments
On 18 July 2026, the New Zealand Government said FIT members agreed measures on non-tariff barriers and digital trade, while a separate New Zealand Government announcement said Korea, Peru and Thailand joined, taking the partnership to 19 countries.
Key Statistics
- US$9 billion in New Zealand trade was identified by the New Zealand Government as affected by non-tariff barriers.
- 19 countries were members of the FIT Partnership after the Auckland meeting, according to the New Zealand Government.
- 3 countries, Korea, Peru and Thailand, joined the FIT Partnership, according to the New Zealand Government.
- Historical: NZ$2 billion was the New Zealand-Fiji trade target under the renewed Duavata Partnership, according to the New Zealand Government.
- Historical: NZ$1.88 billion in two-way New Zealand-Switzerland trade was cited by the New Zealand Government.
Main Body
On 18 July 2026, the New Zealand Government said members of the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership met in Auckland and committed to initiatives intended to ease trade frictions. In a separate announcement the same day, the New Zealand Government said Korea, Peru and Thailand joined the grouping, increasing membership from 16 to 19 countries.
The New Zealand Government said the Auckland outcomes included a declaration on non-tariff barriers affecting US$9 billion of New Zealand trade, a ministerial declaration on digital trade, and work focused on economic resilience and global subsidies. The New Zealand Government described FIT as a forum for small and medium-sized trading nations seeking simpler and more consistent trade rules.
The announcements followed other New Zealand trade diplomacy moves in the same week. On 16 July 2026, the New Zealand Government said New Zealand and Fiji renewed the Duavata Partnership and set a NZ$2 billion trade target. Also on 16 July 2026, the New Zealand Government said New Zealand and Switzerland agreed to establish a Trade and Investment Dialogue covering trade, economic security, e-commerce, investment and sustainability.
The practical significance was that New Zealand placed rule-setting, digital commerce and non-tariff barriers at the center of its current economic diplomacy. According to the New Zealand Government, the FIT work was aimed at smoother trade, while the New Zealand Government said the expanded membership strengthened a platform for smaller trading economies to coordinate on trade rules.
