NZ FREE TRADE AGREEMENTS
Having trade agreements between two or more countries makes international trade easier and more efficient. A summary of the agreements in force and those under negotiation is set out below:
|
Agreements in Force |
Progress to date |
Date Signed |
|
Asean -Australia/NZ Free Trade Area |
Agreement is signed but not yet in effect |
27 February 2009 |
|
New Zealand – China Free Trade Agreement (NZ- China FTA) |
Came into effect on 1 October 2008 |
7 April 2008 |
|
Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (Trans-Pacific SEP) – Parties to agreement are Brunei/Chile/New Zealand/Singapore |
|
2005 |
|
New Zealand and Thailand Closer Economic Partnership (NZTCEP) |
|
2005 |
|
New Zealand and Singapore Closer Economic Partnership (NZSCEP) |
|
2001 |
|
Australia and New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership (CER) |
|
1983 |
|
Agreements under Negotiation |
Progress to date |
Parties to Agreements |
|
Anti-Counterfeiting Trade Agreement (“ACTA”) - a pluralateral agreement for intellectual property rights (“IPR’s”) enforcement to counter the increase in global trade of counterfeit goods and pirated copyright protected works. |
The Ministry of Economic Development is seeking further submissions closing on 29 June 2009 on a range of ACTA related issues that may be raised in the next negotiating rounds. The issues relate to: Border Protection Measures
Civil Enforcement
Criminal Enforcement
|
New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Singapore, Switzerland and the United States |
|
New Zealand-Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement |
The Fourth Round of the FTA Negotiations took place in Wellington from 17-20 February 2009. Both countries are committed to concluding the negotiations as soon as possible. |
New Zealand and the six Member States of the Gulf Cooperation Council |
|
New Zealand and Malaysia Free Trade Agreement |
On 31 March 2005, New Zealand and Malaysia commenced negotiations for an FTA to cover goods, services and investment. Since then there have been eight negotiating rounds. Negotiations are now entering their closing phase. |
|
|
New Zealand and Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership |
New Zealand commenced a 'Closer Economic Partnership' (CEP) negotiation with Hong Kong in 2001. Talks were suspended in late 2002 after five rounds of negotiation. Following informal discussions, both parties have agreed to resume negotiations towards a CEP. From 2-3 March 2009 six New Zealand officials attended preparatory talks for the resumed CEP negotiations with Hong Kong. The first round of resumed negotiations between New Zealand and Hong Kong will take place in Wellington during the first week of May 2009. |
|
|
Expansion of the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership (TransPac) |
The United States has yet to decide whether it will continue with talks. The first round of negotiations was scheduled to take place in March 2009, but has been postponed to allow the new US Administration time to conduct a general review of US trade policy. |
Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore are parties to TransPac.The Trans-Pac Agreement was signed by New Zealand, Chile and Singapore on 18 July 2005 and by Brunei on 2 August 2005. On 22 September 2008, negotiations for the United States to join the Trans-Pacific Agreement were announced. Australia, Peru and Viet Nam also intend to participate in negotiations. |
|
New Zealand-Korea Free Trade Agreement |
A first round of negotiations is was to have taken place in June 2009. |
|
NEW ZEALAND’S DOUBLE TAXATION TREATIES
New Zealand has double tax treaties with the following countries in the Asia-Pacific area.
|
Australia |
Indonesia |
Singapore |
|
Chile |
Japan |
Taiwan |
|
China |
Korea |
Thailand |
|
Fiji |
Malaysia |
|
|
India |
Philippines |
|
REVISIONS OF EXISTING TREATIES
NEW ZEALAND AND THE UNITED STATES
New Zealand and the United States have revised the NZ/US DTA. The main feature will be lower withholding taxes on dividend, interest and royalty payments.
The withholding tax on dividends is currently capped at 15% under the NZ/US DTA. Under the revised DTA a 5% withholding rate will apply to dividends paid to companies that have 10% or more of the voting power of the company paying the dividend. No withholding tax will be required where a company (directly or indirectly) holds 80% of the voting power in the company paying the dividend in the 12 months leading up to the date on which the entitlement to the dividend is determined and the company satisfies other criteria, which generally require the recipient of the dividends be listed, or owned by 50% or more by residents of the same contracting state in which it is resident, or has obtained a specific determination that it is entitled to benefit under the tax treaty.
NEW ZEALAND AND AUSTRALIA
New Zealand and Australia have also revised the 1995 double tax agreement. The agreement will come into force when both countries give legal effect to it. The new DTA is said to help reduce barriers to trade and investment and improve certainty for trans Tasman businesses.
There will be lower withholding taxes on dividend and royalty payments for an investing company that has at least a 10% shareholding in the company paying the dividend. The rate reduces to 0% if the investing company holds 80% or more of the shares in the other company and meets other criteria.
The new DTA also resolves the problem of pensions that are tax-free in one country but are taxable in the other. Pensions that were exempt in the home country will be exempt in the other. Lump sum pension benefits will only be taxed in the country where the pension is sourced, not in the country to which the pensioner has retired.
DISCLAIMER
This publication is necessarily brief and general in nature. You should seek further information before taking any action in relation to the matters dealt with in this publication. If you have any questions on the matters discussed in this update please contact the New Zealand Mackrell Partner, Brian Joyce at Clendons North Shore by email to brian.joyce@clendons-ns.co.nz or phone 64 9 377 8419