New Zealand, China's Taiwan eyeing indigenous people links

The indigenous peoples of New Zealand and China's Taiwan are aiming to step up trade and cultural links under a free trade agreement signed in 2013, New Zealand's Te Puni Kokiri (Ministry for Maori Development) announced Tuesday.

The Agreement between the Separate Customs Territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu and New Zealand on Economic Cooperation ( ANZTEC) made special provision for Taiwan's Council of Indigenous Peoples and Te Puni Kokiri to facilitate opportunities for such links, said a statement from Te Puni Kokiri.

Since ANZTEC came into force on Dec. 1, 2013, indigenous enterprises on both sides had shown growing interest in each other 's markets, it said.

Three Maori business delegations had visited the Customs territory of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen and Matsu so far and a strong Maori business element would be on show at this year's Taipei Food Show.

The cultural and people-to-people connections were stronger than ever, with numerous two-way cultural exchanges over the previous year.

It noted that the two agencies were looking to build on those connections, together with plans for Maori to share their insights on language revitalization, saying the agreement will eventually see complete removal of tariffs on New Zealand's exports to China' s Taiwan, with 99 percent eliminated in four years.

In the year ending September 2014, Chinese Taipei was New Zealand's seventh largest goods export market worth more than 762. 72 million U.S. dollars.