New Zealand is in danger of missing the boat on securing a trade deal with the UK before it leaves the EU, says New Zealand First Leader and MP for Northland Rt Hon Winston Peters.

“Australia has got the jump on us – they’re well ahead of New Zealand in putting their case forward before the exit is official.

“Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull says they are ‘getting in early’ and hopes for a ‘very strong, very open deal’.

“A wise move for a country relying on trade.

“Since the Brexit vote Mr Key has spent an inordinate amount of time talking up a trade deal with the EU, and making various international trips.

“Advancing New Zealand’s interests with the UK should have been at the top of his list.

“Sitting back and relying on historic ties and friendship is fruitless when it comes to negotiations on trade – it’s much more cut throat.

“While Mr Key did rush over to London after the Brexit vote, it was only to shake hands with departing PM David Cameron, when he was literally packing up his office. Hardly a priority for this country.

“It never augured well for New Zealand when Trade Minister Murray McCully said after the Brexit vote, ‘it’s early days’ and Mr Key said our trade negotiators were very busy, so we wouldn’t be ‘looking to lend people’ to the UK which has a deficit of trade negotiators.

“Australia had the presence of mind to lend the negotiators, and establish its interests early, especially given Britain will take time to re-establish trading agreements after so long in the EU,” says Mr Peters.