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As New Zealand and India enter a new era of economic cooperation following the signing of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), former National Party leader and Chief Executive of the Auckland Business Chamber, Simon Bridges, believes the opportunities for both countries are immense. Speaking to The India News, Bridges described the agreement as a transformational step that could reshape trade, investment and people-to-people ties for decades to come.
According to Bridges, the case for a stronger economic partnership with India has never been clearer. India is now the world’s most populous nation and is expected to become the world’s third-largest economy before the end of the decade. With hundreds of millions of people joining the middle class, New Zealand businesses have access to one of the most exciting growth markets in the world.
“The opportunity is enormous,” Bridges said. “But now that the agreement is signed, the real work begins. Businesses need to think carefully about where they enter the market, who they partner with, and which sectors offer the best opportunities. Success in India requires a clear strategy.”
He believes industries such as kiwifruit, meat, wine, education, technology and professional services stand to benefit significantly from improved market access. At the same time, New Zealand businesses can learn from India’s globally competitive technology sector and tap into new talent and innovation opportunities.
Asked whether New Zealand had been slow in pursuing closer economic ties with India, Bridges acknowledged that discussions have been ongoing for many years. However, he praised the current government for strengthening relations and moving negotiations forward.
“We’ve talked about India’s potential for a long time,” he said. “What’s important now is that we act. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Trade Minister Todd McClay have recognised India’s growing importance, and the timing couldn’t be better.”
Bridges also highlighted the changing geopolitical landscape, noting that India’s rise as a major economic and strategic power creates opportunities that extend beyond trade into areas such as security, defence cooperation and broader diplomatic engagement.
One of the most significant developments on the horizon is the expected visit of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to New Zealand. Bridges described the visit as a milestone event with enormous significance.
“It is difficult to overstate how important this visit will be,” he said. “India is one of the world’s major powers, and Prime Minister Modi leads one of the most influential governments globally. His visit sends a strong signal about the importance of the relationship.”
While welcoming the symbolism of the visit, Bridges stressed the importance of delivering tangible outcomes. One area where he hopes to see progress is the establishment of direct flights between India and New Zealand.
“A commitment towards regular direct air services would be a gamechanger,” he said. “It would strengthen tourism, business links and people-to-people connections in a very practical way.”
Bridges also paid tribute to the growing influence of the Indian community in New Zealand. He described Indian-New Zealanders as a vital part of Auckland’s social, cultural and economic fabric.
“The Indian community has been contributing to New Zealand for generations and continues to play an increasingly important role in business, leadership and public life,” he said.
He pointed to the recent appointment of Rakesh Nauhria as Chair of the Auckland Business Chamber as a powerful example of the community’s growing influence and leadership within New Zealand’s business sector.For Indian investors considering opportunities abroad, Bridges believes New Zealand offers a compelling proposition. Beyond strong institutions and shared democratic values, he says New Zealand’s greatest strengths are its stability, security and predictability.
“In an increasingly uncertain world, New Zealand remains one of the safest and most stable places to invest,” he said. “Those qualities are becoming more valuable than ever.”
Looking ahead, Bridges expects India-New Zealand relations to mature significantly over the next five years. While challenges are inevitable, he believes businesses that invest time in understanding the market and building strong partnerships will reap substantial rewards.
“The journey won’t always be smooth,” he said. “But the opportunities are real. I believe we are at the beginning of a very important chapter in the relationship between our two countries.”
With a landmark trade agreement in place, Bridges sees every reason for optimism about the future of India-New Zealand relations. -as told to Yugal Parashar