NZFOA Chief Executive Elizabeth Heeg says the free trade agreement marks an important milestone for New Zealand exporters and for the long-term growth of the forestry and wood processing sector.

“India is one of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies. Wood and wood products are already New Zealand’s largest goods export to India, worth NZ$134 million in the year to June 2025 and growing.

The agreement will eliminate or reduce tariffs on 95 per cent of New Zealand’s forestry and wood product exports to India, giving our sector better access to this market.

The completion of legal verification and confirmation of a signing date gives businesses greater confidence that this agreement is moving ahead.”

Heeg says NZFOA also supports the next stage of the parliamentary treaty examination process, which will give Parliament and the public an opportunity to scrutinise the agreement in full.

“This is an important part of New Zealand’s trade process, and it should give all parties the opportunity to consider the agreement on its merits.

Opportunities of this scale do not come along often, and this agreement has the potential to deliver benefits for exporters and for the wider economy for many years to come.”

Heeg says the forestry sector is well placed to contribute to those gains and to deepen ties with India beyond trade alone.

“We welcome the opportunity to continue growing the relationship with India through trade, investment, and collaboration on research, education, and forestry practice.

New Zealand growers have built a strong relationship with India over time, and we are looking forward to building on that foundation.”