Departing European Union Ambassador to New Zealand Lawrence Meredith is wrapping up his time in the country, with today his final working day in the role. Under his leadership, two-way trade between the European Union and New Zealand is up 14%, with New Zealand exporters an extra $3 billion better off in just over two years.

Europe is now New Zealand’s fastest-growing major export market.

“It’s going gangbusters,” he says.

The deal’s value now depends on exporters using it.

“Sometimes you lose up to 40% by simply people not taking up the offer that’s already there.”

His highlights in the role included Fieldays and the Christchurch A&P Show.

“Ambassadors are no use to man or beast if you’re stuck in an office in Wellington; you need to be out and about.”

His term included the first European Union-New Zealand Business Summit last October, and the first political visit to New Zealand in more than six years.

“The relationship’s now going from strength to strength.”

Meredith leaves for Canberra on 1 September to become EU ambassador to Australia, where the bloc has just finalised its own free trade deal. His successor is expected in New Zealand about 1 October.

CountryWide CONNECT with Andy Thompson & Sarah Perriam-Lampp is our daily rural show livestreamed from 11am-1pm. Visit country-wide.co.nz on how to watch/listen or download the CountryWide CONNECT mobile app, available on Apple iOS and Android.