High-end and high-value products will be a big focus of New Zealand's historic free trade agreement (FTA) with the UK, Damien O'Connor says.
"It will be targeted food and nutrition products - it's not just sending carcasses as happened over 100 years ago," Trade Minister O'Connor told AM.
Overnight, O'Connor signed the historic FTA - removing tariffs on New Zealand exports including meat, wine and dairy.
"This is an opportunity for people who want to grow the value of their exports and it will be at the top end of the market," O'Connor said.
"What we do as a Government is open the door… this is an opportunity that doesn't guarantee success or that companies will take up those opportunities. At the moment, we're very focused on China and other markets - things may change and so they - the exporters - may want to look at this market and see opportunities into the future."
O'Connor described the FTA as an "incredible effort".
"It's an outstanding agreement," he said.
"There's huge room for growth - tariffs only kick if we move beyond certain volumes in the market in any one year and, at this stage, the volumes are way, way below.
"We have huge potential for growth without any tariffs but if we were to put a huge amount into the market then some tariffs might apply for 15 years - beyond that none," O'Connor said.
Earlier, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said the FTA was the "gold standard".
In London, O'Connor signed the deal with UK International Trade Secretary Liz Truss.
He will now leave for Brussels to meet with European counterparts to advance NZ-EU free trade agreement negotiations.
O'Connor will return to New Zealand later this month. During his trip, he will also head to Switzerland, Saudi Arabia and the UAE for trade talks.
