Prof Patman, of the University of Otago politics department, said Britain’s Brexit moves would not cause the "traumatic" adjustment New Zealand faced when Britain entered the EU in January 1973. The likely outcome of Brexit for New Zealand was "neutral to positive", as separate free trade agreements were likely to be reached with the EU and Britain. Brexit, including a possible "no deal" Brexit, were much more likely after the British Conservative Party’s recent big general election victory. Joining the EU had strengthened Britain economically, but since earlier indications that Britain wished to leave, its economic growth had declined. Ireland was English-speaking, and still part of the EU, allowing exporters to use Ireland as a base for operating with the wider EU market.

Source: Otago Daily Times December 22, 2019 15:45 UTC