April 8, 2025 • 6 mins
Today, the Prime Minister talks about tariffs, the UAE deal, rural connectivity and how many chocolate eggs he’s snuck in before Easter.
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Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:00):
As he does every Wednesday. We're honored for the Prime
Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxen to join us.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Hello, how are you Rowen? We're talking with you. It's
always a good change from Jamie, right, So it works
great when you're in charge.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Oh thank you.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Yeah, I keep that from a lot of people like oh.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Jamie Ho, no jes exactly a very big few weeks
for you, obviously on the taraf front. Just this morning
we saw Elon Musk come out overnight calling Trump's main guy, Moron.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
That's the lowatest development.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Do you think that's going to inflame the situation or
did it kind of need to be seed Well?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I think the first thing is we just need a call, calm,
collected sort of response from from New Zealand to what
we're seeing. The reality is that you know, personally and
as a country, and you know, we just don't support
tariffs and we just don't think trade wars are the
way for you know, what the global economy needs is
real certainty, not uncertainty and instability because it has huge
ramifications on the global growth agenda. Is yes, we've taken
(01:01):
the lowest level of tariffs and so no country is
better off than us at this point in time. We
don't think the ten percent is appropriate. Will continue to
make our case to the American officials as we have
been doing and have been doing subsequently. Reality is, many
of the exporters that I talk to believe that their
relative competitiveness are going into the US. The size of
that market, the opportunities and that market are still very
(01:23):
very strong for them. But the bigger implication is, frankly,
what this means for the global economy. Because there are
countries that have much higher tower F rates up to
forty forty five percent in some cases, are going into
the US. And what it means is that the US
consumer is going to be slugged with a massive increase
in costs and prices, and so inflation will go up,
interest rates may have to go up, and then the
(01:45):
economy will slow and the consequence of all of that
will be there'll be less global demand, less global growth.
And that's what is the uncertain part that could impact
the broader and usingland economy and all of that. There
are opportunities as much as also some challenge, and the
key thing is we've got to keep going and driving
our own growth agenda, and that's why you've seen Todd
(02:06):
McClay and I out and about in the world. That's why,
as in India kicking off the free trade and negotiations,
That's why we've got the deal done with the UAE
and the GCC. That's why we pulled forward the season
the EU the EU FDA last year and as in
Vietnam getting an upgrade to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. All
of that work over the last sixteen months is designed
so that we can sell more of our products to
(02:28):
more countries around the world. And nextly, our products are
in huge demand. So I think, compared to the other
one hundred and ninety five countries in the world, in
New Zealand is incredibly well positioned to navigate it. But
it just requires very good steerage as we navigate our
boat through some chopping of waters.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Obviously, on the positive siding you touched on this and
passing the UAE deal is due to be ratified this week.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
It's good to have a one yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Look, I mean that deal is exciting on two fronts,
to be honest. One is yes, the UAE and then
the subsequent GCC deal, and that part of the world
with those coalition of countries coming together and those deals
as important from it for our exporters point of view,
and there is huge demand for particularly in his own
food and beverage in those markets, and I visited there
earlier in the year. But the other part that's interesting
(03:13):
is actually we signed a bilateral investment treaty. And if
you think about a place like the UAE, the capital
is Abu Dhabi. It is called the Capital of Capital.
You know there they have up to three trillion dollars
New Zealand just in three investment funds, and none of
that money is sitting here invested in New Zealand. And
that's why I held the Infrastructure summit before I went
(03:35):
to India, was to turn global investors onto the opportunities
that are here. We want to build more schools, we
want to build more hospitals, we want to build more roads.
We need to get more infrastructure built in this country.
And one of the ways we can do that quicker, faster,
rather than waiting for the government to be able to
afford it in twenty seventy or whatever, as we can
(03:55):
pull that forward if we partner with capital from overseas
and so we get the capital obviously coming into the
country and working with the government money to actually get
things built much faster. So you know, that's partly quite
exciting too, is the opportunity now to know one of
the few countries that has a bilateral investment treaty which
essentially gives permission for investments like that to come to
(04:16):
New Zealand. And that's what we want to see more of.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
I've been traveling a lot lately.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
We've still got connectivity black spots across the country, even
on State Highway one. What's the latest on improving rural
broadband and cell coverage in those rural areas.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Yeah, I experience it too because I'm obviously traveling a
bit on the network as well, and they're surprising aim
when you hit black spots, you know, or it just
disrupts your calls and connectivity. So look, we've got to
keep working really hard at that because we need much
more reliable and resilient tally communication networks. It's critical for
growing our economy, it's critical for times of emergency. It
(04:52):
has improved a lot, like one of the data than
where it was even just a few years ago. But
of course you feel it when you experience it.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Lot of come ons from the car.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Yeah, no, exactly, no, exactly, I'm in the same place.
I'd say the same things, even few worse things. But
what I say is that Paul Godsmith, I know he
is working really are hard at that. He understands that.
Know the r we're continuing that work on the Rural
Broadband and Mobile black Spots program. I know he just
opened I think the five hundredth RCG to mobile tower
(05:24):
and the way TACKLEI ranges just recently as well, So
he's going to continue doing more of that. But yeah,
we've got more to do. He's also announced in March.
I think it was just last month. I'm actually a
suite of regulatary changes to sort of help stimulate more
competition amongst the sector, encouraging them to sort of move
further into rural areas where there are black spots in
poor services. So yep, I think that's a very fair point.
(05:47):
There's a lot more to do. The programs are continuing,
but we've got to keep making much more progress.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
It is less than two weeks away.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
I must say, by my last count, I've probably eaten
about seven eggs ahead of time.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
What's your count? Are you a sucker for chocolate?
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Yeah? Absolutely? In fact, yeah, no I am. I love
a good No, I'm pretty basic because it's sort of
what I had as a kid was it was a
pretty great treat to get a marshmallow egg and then
the cream eggs. I sort of quite like as well.
If I could get my hand on one of those
or a couple of those would be very helpful. But yeah,
pretty difficult in my house. Actually, Amanda keeps a pretty
(06:24):
tight grip on the flow of chocolate in and out
of the place.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
I need an Amanda myself.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Yeah, between myself and the kids, we sort of have
surreptitious ways and the stashes hidden all over the place
and yeah, which some of us know about and some
of us pretend we don't know about and utilize from
time to time. But no, yeah, so no, but the
bog standard marshmallow egg maybe as a bit of a treat,
the cream egg and unhappy Jeffie.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
There you go to It's fantastic Prime Minister of New Zealand,
Christopher Luxe and appreciate your time. Is always nice to chat.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Likewise, Rowen, you have a great week. Take care you
two
As he does every Wednesday. We're honored for the Prime
Minister of New Zealand, Christopher Luxen to join us.
Speaker 2 (00:05):
Hello, how are you Rowen? We're talking with you. It's
always a good change from Jamie, right, So it works
great when you're in charge.
Speaker 1 (00:11):
Oh thank you.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Yeah, I keep that from a lot of people like oh.
Speaker 1 (00:15):
Jamie Ho, no jes exactly a very big few weeks
for you, obviously on the taraf front. Just this morning
we saw Elon Musk come out overnight calling Trump's main guy, Moron.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
That's the lowatest development.
Speaker 1 (00:30):
Do you think that's going to inflame the situation or
did it kind of need to be seed Well?
Speaker 2 (00:36):
I think the first thing is we just need a call, calm,
collected sort of response from from New Zealand to what
we're seeing. The reality is that you know, personally and
as a country, and you know, we just don't support
tariffs and we just don't think trade wars are the
way for you know, what the global economy needs is
real certainty, not uncertainty and instability because it has huge
ramifications on the global growth agenda. Is yes, we've taken
(01:01):
the lowest level of tariffs and so no country is
better off than us at this point in time. We
don't think the ten percent is appropriate. Will continue to
make our case to the American officials as we have
been doing and have been doing subsequently. Reality is, many
of the exporters that I talk to believe that their
relative competitiveness are going into the US. The size of
that market, the opportunities and that market are still very
(01:23):
very strong for them. But the bigger implication is, frankly,
what this means for the global economy. Because there are
countries that have much higher tower F rates up to
forty forty five percent in some cases, are going into
the US. And what it means is that the US
consumer is going to be slugged with a massive increase
in costs and prices, and so inflation will go up,
interest rates may have to go up, and then the
(01:45):
economy will slow and the consequence of all of that
will be there'll be less global demand, less global growth.
And that's what is the uncertain part that could impact
the broader and usingland economy and all of that. There
are opportunities as much as also some challenge, and the
key thing is we've got to keep going and driving
our own growth agenda, and that's why you've seen Todd
(02:06):
McClay and I out and about in the world. That's why,
as in India kicking off the free trade and negotiations,
That's why we've got the deal done with the UAE
and the GCC. That's why we pulled forward the season
the EU the EU FDA last year and as in
Vietnam getting an upgrade to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. All
of that work over the last sixteen months is designed
so that we can sell more of our products to
(02:28):
more countries around the world. And nextly, our products are
in huge demand. So I think, compared to the other
one hundred and ninety five countries in the world, in
New Zealand is incredibly well positioned to navigate it. But
it just requires very good steerage as we navigate our
boat through some chopping of waters.
Speaker 1 (02:42):
Obviously, on the positive siding you touched on this and
passing the UAE deal is due to be ratified this week.
Speaker 3 (02:49):
It's good to have a one yeah.
Speaker 2 (02:52):
Look, I mean that deal is exciting on two fronts,
to be honest. One is yes, the UAE and then
the subsequent GCC deal, and that part of the world
with those coalition of countries coming together and those deals
as important from it for our exporters point of view,
and there is huge demand for particularly in his own
food and beverage in those markets, and I visited there
earlier in the year. But the other part that's interesting
(03:13):
is actually we signed a bilateral investment treaty. And if
you think about a place like the UAE, the capital
is Abu Dhabi. It is called the Capital of Capital.
You know there they have up to three trillion dollars
New Zealand just in three investment funds, and none of
that money is sitting here invested in New Zealand. And
that's why I held the Infrastructure summit before I went
(03:35):
to India, was to turn global investors onto the opportunities
that are here. We want to build more schools, we
want to build more hospitals, we want to build more roads.
We need to get more infrastructure built in this country.
And one of the ways we can do that quicker, faster,
rather than waiting for the government to be able to
afford it in twenty seventy or whatever, as we can
(03:55):
pull that forward if we partner with capital from overseas
and so we get the capital obviously coming into the
country and working with the government money to actually get
things built much faster. So you know, that's partly quite
exciting too, is the opportunity now to know one of
the few countries that has a bilateral investment treaty which
essentially gives permission for investments like that to come to
(04:16):
New Zealand. And that's what we want to see more of.
Speaker 3 (04:18):
I've been traveling a lot lately.
Speaker 1 (04:20):
We've still got connectivity black spots across the country, even
on State Highway one. What's the latest on improving rural
broadband and cell coverage in those rural areas.
Speaker 2 (04:32):
Yeah, I experience it too because I'm obviously traveling a
bit on the network as well, and they're surprising aim
when you hit black spots, you know, or it just
disrupts your calls and connectivity. So look, we've got to
keep working really hard at that because we need much
more reliable and resilient tally communication networks. It's critical for
growing our economy, it's critical for times of emergency. It
(04:52):
has improved a lot, like one of the data than
where it was even just a few years ago. But
of course you feel it when you experience it.
Speaker 3 (05:00):
Lot of come ons from the car.
Speaker 2 (05:03):
Yeah, no, exactly, no, exactly, I'm in the same place.
I'd say the same things, even few worse things. But
what I say is that Paul Godsmith, I know he
is working really are hard at that. He understands that.
Know the r we're continuing that work on the Rural
Broadband and Mobile black Spots program. I know he just
opened I think the five hundredth RCG to mobile tower
(05:24):
and the way TACKLEI ranges just recently as well, So
he's going to continue doing more of that. But yeah,
we've got more to do. He's also announced in March.
I think it was just last month. I'm actually a
suite of regulatary changes to sort of help stimulate more
competition amongst the sector, encouraging them to sort of move
further into rural areas where there are black spots in
poor services. So yep, I think that's a very fair point.
(05:47):
There's a lot more to do. The programs are continuing,
but we've got to keep making much more progress.
Speaker 3 (05:52):
It is less than two weeks away.
Speaker 1 (05:55):
I must say, by my last count, I've probably eaten
about seven eggs ahead of time.
Speaker 3 (06:00):
What's your count? Are you a sucker for chocolate?
Speaker 2 (06:03):
Yeah? Absolutely? In fact, yeah, no I am. I love
a good No, I'm pretty basic because it's sort of
what I had as a kid was it was a
pretty great treat to get a marshmallow egg and then
the cream eggs. I sort of quite like as well.
If I could get my hand on one of those
or a couple of those would be very helpful. But yeah,
pretty difficult in my house. Actually, Amanda keeps a pretty
(06:24):
tight grip on the flow of chocolate in and out
of the place.
Speaker 3 (06:27):
I need an Amanda myself.
Speaker 2 (06:29):
Yeah, between myself and the kids, we sort of have
surreptitious ways and the stashes hidden all over the place
and yeah, which some of us know about and some
of us pretend we don't know about and utilize from
time to time. But no, yeah, so no, but the
bog standard marshmallow egg maybe as a bit of a treat,
the cream egg and unhappy Jeffie.
Speaker 1 (06:48):
There you go to It's fantastic Prime Minister of New Zealand,
Christopher Luxe and appreciate your time. Is always nice to chat.
Speaker 2 (06:56):
Likewise, Rowen, you have a great week. Take care you
two
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