40 years of Closer Economic Relations: Growth and expansion across the Tasman
The relationship between Australia and New Zealand is one of long and enduring friendship. It is built on cultural ties, family links, good-natured rivalry and strong trading partnerships.
It’s no surprise that the Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations (CER) Trade Agreement is Australia’s most liberal FTA. Since 1983, it has led to greater harmonisation, tariff- free trade across the Tasman, and less red-tape for businesses in both countries. This level of integration means greater productivity, lower business costs, exciting innovation and more opportunities for Australian businesses looking to expand internationally.
New Zealand is among Australia’s top ten two-way trading partners, holding its own in a list which includes China, Japan and the United States. With over 18,500 Australian businesses exporting across the Tasman, New Zealand is our second largest export destination. As we celebrate 40 years of partner- ship under the CER, we spoke to the Australian winners of the 2022 Trans-Tasman Innovation and Growth Awards to find out how
trading across the Tasman has helped them meet their business goals.
“Expanding to New Zealand gave us an opportunity to begin exploring what a global strategy could look like for Pleasant State.”
Sian Murray and Ami Bateman, Pleasant State co-founders
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business envoy
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
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