March 17, 2025 • 6 mins
Did Labour drop the trade ball in India? We ask Labour's trade spokesman (and former Minister of Agriculture) to defend himself.
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
Damian O'Connor as Labour's trade spokesperson former Minister of Agriculture.
Of course. Now, Damien, I know you didn't hear Todd McLay,
but he actually said some nice things about you as
a former trade minister. Are you're going to reciprocate and
say nice things about him?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
I have to congratulate him. You know, the energy and
the trips and the effeties made into India, and you know,
getting the UAE and the GCC thing deals over the line,
and that's that's great, and I have the compliment on
that's good for all of our economy and for our country.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
He's made five trips to India. I'm not sure how
many you made, but Winston's been on a plane constantly
also as a Foreign Affairs minister. And I never left
the country.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
No, that's completely untrue. And I did make trips. I
don't know whether you've forgotten about COVID, Jamie kind of
interrupted a couple of years of travel and meetings with
people around the world. I made three trips to India
and David Parker Winston had made them to Naima Huta
had made them, and of course we hosted the Indian
(01:06):
Foreign Minister, Prime Minister Adurn met with primeus to Modi
Chrishipkins met with Modi two. So we were working on
those relationships and partnerships and it's great that it's coming
to fruition and we're making progress here.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
But didn't you just end up sort of dropping the
ball and saying India is just in the too heart
a basket.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
No. I think there was a comment from the Nayama
who to say it wasn't a priority at the time,
because India had given a clear indication to us that
a free trade agreement at that time wasn't a priority
or something they were prepared to consider. But they did
want to continue to build the relationships. And indeed that's
what has happened between Indian people, New Zealanders, cricketers, everyone
(01:48):
has been building a strong relationship and in good luck
to the negotiators on this comprehensive trade agreement. And I
have said that you know, there is our biggest industry.
We do need to have it included in there, although
it's going to be a challenge.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
But the reality of it is dairy may not be
a big part of the steal. It doesn't need to
be a big part of the steel. There's plenty of
other countries around the world we can send our dairy
products too. India is the largest producer of dairy in
the world and getting bigger. Surely we just forget about
dairy and let's concentrate on stuff that's going to be
good for a slam horticulture.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Well, we don't have enough lamb to fill the market
opportunities now, you know, so you could look at we
have to keep the doors open for every exporter. It's
opening opportunities. It's up to them whether they take them up.
I mean, we might get zero tariff on lamb and
yet it still might be hard work to get a
better price than some of the other markets. And the
exporters will choose whether they go to India or China,
(02:47):
or US or EU. You know, these are opportunities. They
aren't guaranteed in outcomes.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
The Aussies have got zero tariff on lamb. We need
to be following in their footsteps.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Surely, well we do. I think you have to talk
to the exporters who are putting lamb into India and
see how well it's going for them. I don't know
what the market price is there is a lot of
There are a lot of wealthy people in India and
whether they're able to target them accurately and get that
return back to the farmers. I haven't seen the returns
for Ossie farmers from that trade deal.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
No, I mean you and I enjoy but a bit
of a banter and a bit of a scrap on
the old radio. I look forward to it. Actually, so
do I have to start being nice to you just
in case Chippy sleeps sleepwalks to victory.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Look, you know, surprising where you do hear comments that
this might be a one term government, it might be
a coalition makeup, that might be you know what they're doing.
I'm not making a judgment on that other than look
at the polls. Talk to people around the place who
are not happy with a lot of things that are
going on in our country. But in terms of trade
and our efforts in India, you know, I want to
(03:55):
congratulate and support the Prime Minister in the Ministry Trade
and all the delegation. I had taken the biggest trade
delegation prior to this one to India, fifty people. We
didn't have a Kapahaker group, which I know have gone
this time. You know, we had some serious players. We
made some good progress.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Is it a waste of time sending the Maori cultural group?
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Not at all? I think building that cultural connection we
had some body on our trip as well. It is
important that you know, the bicultural nature of our nation
is appreciated and it helps us actually to sell and
to tell the story of New Zealand and its nation
every to every market around the world. And we have
(04:39):
to keep that up.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Damien, could you think of a worse scenario than being
in a coalition government with Roweri and Chloe be honest.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Oh, being in one with David Seymour.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Well, I mean that's never going to happen. But I mean, gee,
I mean to party Maria to political party. They're activists.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Well, I mean, you know, they have some principles there
around what they're trying to do. I don't agree with
a lot of what they say, but you know, it
depends on how you negotiate, and I think the chrys
Lux may maybe be disappointed that he allowed to get
a few too many things across the line. We just
have to make sure when we negotiate that we keep
things sensible, reasonable and pragmatic. For our country.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
You think Winston's doing a good job on the world stage,
and I know you're sticking up for your previous foreign minister,
and I am a huta, but I think she was
next to useless. That's just my observation. Sorry if I'm
wrong on that one. He seems to be doing a
good job.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Well, you are wrong, and he has been doing it
for quite some time. He was the minister and with
us from twenty seventeen to twenty built a lot of
connections across the globe. He's been around for a while
and had some of those prior to that as well,
So you know he's got the experience and as I say,
personal connections which help him. I hope they help us
(05:57):
in the US At the moment, it's a very very
up in time. We don't know what will happen from
one day to the next, and Winston's over there. I
guess we're keeping a low profile is a great objective.
The minute you've gone to Washington as he has, our
profile will be lifted. And I guess we just got
to make sure we don't keep cording a cross fire.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Damien O'Connor, thanks for your time today. I think we
agreed too much. Not good for ratings, but always ensure
having you on the show.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
Damien, Thanks Jamie. I always I'm sure I'll be able
to find an argument with you.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
I'm sure. Well, thanks for your time, have a good day.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Thank you.
Damian O'Connor as Labour's trade spokesperson former Minister of Agriculture.
Of course. Now, Damien, I know you didn't hear Todd McLay,
but he actually said some nice things about you as
a former trade minister. Are you're going to reciprocate and
say nice things about him?
Speaker 2 (00:17):
I have to congratulate him. You know, the energy and
the trips and the effeties made into India, and you know,
getting the UAE and the GCC thing deals over the line,
and that's that's great, and I have the compliment on
that's good for all of our economy and for our country.
Speaker 1 (00:34):
He's made five trips to India. I'm not sure how
many you made, but Winston's been on a plane constantly
also as a Foreign Affairs minister. And I never left
the country.
Speaker 2 (00:45):
No, that's completely untrue. And I did make trips. I
don't know whether you've forgotten about COVID, Jamie kind of
interrupted a couple of years of travel and meetings with
people around the world. I made three trips to India
and David Parker Winston had made them to Naima Huta
had made them, and of course we hosted the Indian
(01:06):
Foreign Minister, Prime Minister Adurn met with primeus to Modi
Chrishipkins met with Modi two. So we were working on
those relationships and partnerships and it's great that it's coming
to fruition and we're making progress here.
Speaker 1 (01:21):
But didn't you just end up sort of dropping the
ball and saying India is just in the too heart
a basket.
Speaker 2 (01:27):
No. I think there was a comment from the Nayama
who to say it wasn't a priority at the time,
because India had given a clear indication to us that
a free trade agreement at that time wasn't a priority
or something they were prepared to consider. But they did
want to continue to build the relationships. And indeed that's
what has happened between Indian people, New Zealanders, cricketers, everyone
(01:48):
has been building a strong relationship and in good luck
to the negotiators on this comprehensive trade agreement. And I
have said that you know, there is our biggest industry.
We do need to have it included in there, although
it's going to be a challenge.
Speaker 1 (02:03):
But the reality of it is dairy may not be
a big part of the steal. It doesn't need to
be a big part of the steel. There's plenty of
other countries around the world we can send our dairy
products too. India is the largest producer of dairy in
the world and getting bigger. Surely we just forget about
dairy and let's concentrate on stuff that's going to be
good for a slam horticulture.
Speaker 2 (02:25):
Well, we don't have enough lamb to fill the market
opportunities now, you know, so you could look at we
have to keep the doors open for every exporter. It's
opening opportunities. It's up to them whether they take them up.
I mean, we might get zero tariff on lamb and
yet it still might be hard work to get a
better price than some of the other markets. And the
exporters will choose whether they go to India or China,
(02:47):
or US or EU. You know, these are opportunities. They
aren't guaranteed in outcomes.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
The Aussies have got zero tariff on lamb. We need
to be following in their footsteps.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Surely, well we do. I think you have to talk
to the exporters who are putting lamb into India and
see how well it's going for them. I don't know
what the market price is there is a lot of
There are a lot of wealthy people in India and
whether they're able to target them accurately and get that
return back to the farmers. I haven't seen the returns
for Ossie farmers from that trade deal.
Speaker 1 (03:21):
No, I mean you and I enjoy but a bit
of a banter and a bit of a scrap on
the old radio. I look forward to it. Actually, so
do I have to start being nice to you just
in case Chippy sleeps sleepwalks to victory.
Speaker 2 (03:34):
Look, you know, surprising where you do hear comments that
this might be a one term government, it might be
a coalition makeup, that might be you know what they're doing.
I'm not making a judgment on that other than look
at the polls. Talk to people around the place who
are not happy with a lot of things that are
going on in our country. But in terms of trade
and our efforts in India, you know, I want to
(03:55):
congratulate and support the Prime Minister in the Ministry Trade
and all the delegation. I had taken the biggest trade
delegation prior to this one to India, fifty people. We
didn't have a Kapahaker group, which I know have gone
this time. You know, we had some serious players. We
made some good progress.
Speaker 1 (04:14):
Is it a waste of time sending the Maori cultural group?
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Not at all? I think building that cultural connection we
had some body on our trip as well. It is
important that you know, the bicultural nature of our nation
is appreciated and it helps us actually to sell and
to tell the story of New Zealand and its nation
every to every market around the world. And we have
(04:39):
to keep that up.
Speaker 1 (04:39):
Damien, could you think of a worse scenario than being
in a coalition government with Roweri and Chloe be honest.
Speaker 2 (04:48):
Oh, being in one with David Seymour.
Speaker 1 (04:50):
Well, I mean that's never going to happen. But I mean, gee,
I mean to party Maria to political party. They're activists.
Speaker 2 (04:58):
Well, I mean, you know, they have some principles there
around what they're trying to do. I don't agree with
a lot of what they say, but you know, it
depends on how you negotiate, and I think the chrys
Lux may maybe be disappointed that he allowed to get
a few too many things across the line. We just
have to make sure when we negotiate that we keep
things sensible, reasonable and pragmatic. For our country.
Speaker 1 (05:21):
You think Winston's doing a good job on the world stage,
and I know you're sticking up for your previous foreign minister,
and I am a huta, but I think she was
next to useless. That's just my observation. Sorry if I'm
wrong on that one. He seems to be doing a
good job.
Speaker 2 (05:36):
Well, you are wrong, and he has been doing it
for quite some time. He was the minister and with
us from twenty seventeen to twenty built a lot of
connections across the globe. He's been around for a while
and had some of those prior to that as well,
So you know he's got the experience and as I say,
personal connections which help him. I hope they help us
(05:57):
in the US At the moment, it's a very very
up in time. We don't know what will happen from
one day to the next, and Winston's over there. I
guess we're keeping a low profile is a great objective.
The minute you've gone to Washington as he has, our
profile will be lifted. And I guess we just got
to make sure we don't keep cording a cross fire.
Speaker 1 (06:15):
Damien O'Connor, thanks for your time today. I think we
agreed too much. Not good for ratings, but always ensure
having you on the show.
Speaker 2 (06:21):
Damien, Thanks Jamie. I always I'm sure I'll be able
to find an argument with you.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
I'm sure. Well, thanks for your time, have a good day.
Speaker 2 (06:28):
Thank you.
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