Free Trade Agreement between the United Kingdom and New Zealand
(Goods and Services)

Questions and Replies

        The following communication, dated 13 December 2024, is being circulated at the request of the delegations of the United Kingdom and New Zealand.

        This document reproduces the follow-up questions addressed to the Parties following the 111th Session of the CRTA and the responses submitted.

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Follow-up questions from the European Union

1.1.  On the mobility of service suppliers, we understand that the UK under the FTA gets access to a new tailored visa route, which allows UK professionals (e.g., lawyers, accountants) to work and deliver contracts in New Zealand more easily.

        Is the UK putting a similar route in place for professionals from New Zealand? Or will these professionals still need to go through the Sponsorship Scheme?

Joint response from the Parties

        The UK's entry and temporary stay commitments for Contractual Service Suppliers and Independent Professionals within the UK-NZ FTA are operationalised under the UK's Global Business Mobility "Services Supplier visa" route, which is a preferential route only available to select trade partners. This route sits within the UK's sponsorship framework.

1.2.  On environmental services, in Art. 22.7 (on Environmental Goods and Services), Paragraph 3 provides for the possibility to "cooperate on ways to enhance trade in environmental goods and services, among others, in the area of identification of, and further liberalization of trade in, environmental services".

        Could the Parties clarify whether they have undertaken any bilateral cooperation activities in this regard?

Joint response from the Parties

        New Zealand and the United Kingdom discussed environmental services at the Environment and Climate Change sub-committee of the NZ-UK FTA. Parties agreed to continue cooperation including through technical exchanges on the outcomes of the Agreement on Climate Change, Trade and Sustainability, and ongoing cooperation on green finance.

1.3.  On the recognition of professional qualifications: on Annex 9, Article 9A.3: Could the Parties clarify if there has been any progress in their relevant bodies in efforts to "establish and operate systems for recognition of professional qualifications obtained in the other Party's jurisdiction"

Joint response from the Parties

        This continues to be a focus area for both New Zealand and the UK. Both Parties are working together to establish the Professional Services Working Group and a Legal Services Regulatory Dialogue as stipulated in the FTA, and are planning their inaugural meetings in the first half of 2025.

        These will be key forums to further the discussion on the recognition of professional qualifications, reducing barriers and promoting trade in professional services.

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