Geoffrey Miller: NZ’s trade deal with the UAE could unlock Middle East

New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are moving closer together – at record pace.

Just a year after agreeing to enter initial talks, Wellington and Abu Dhabi have concluded negotiations on a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (or CEPA for short).

The deal will go down as one of New Zealand’s fastest trade negotiations. It is arguably the biggest breakthrough for New Zealand’s relations with the Middle East since negotiations began in 2006 on a wider free trade agreement (FTA) with the six-country Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Mike Hosking: Our reputation as a tourist destination is under threat

We do, at least, have a tangible out of the Prime Minister's trip to Europe.

But over the weekend she drifted back into that dangerous habit of saying stuff she can't back up.

We have a trade deal. It's not the best deal ever, but it’s a deal, and it's better than what we had, so that’s good. And she actually said something tangible against China which is to be admired.

But she reverted to her go-to speech on tourism and how we are open and want tourists to buy a ticket and come see us. Nothing wrong that that, except for the fact we aren't up to it.