Masseurs and chefs in trade deal

Many New Zealanders have experienced the restorative benefits of a traditional Thai massage in the tiny parlours that line the side streets off Bangkok's Sukhumvit Rd.

Under the New Zealand-Thailand free trade deal unveiled last night, they are unlikely to have to go so far in future.

New Zealand will investigate a system to recognise the qualifications of traditional Thai massage therapists so they can be allowed in for temporary work.

A raft of parlours offering "traditional Thai massage therapies" already operate in New Zealand - but some are a cloak for prostitution.

By setting up a system to check that qualifications are valid, the Government will protect itself against charges it intends to open our doors to the Thai sex trade.

Qualified Thai chefs will also be allowed to bypass normal immigration tests to work here for up to four years under the deal, provided they have a job offer in hand before leaving home.

This is the first time that "labour exporting" provisions have been included in a free trade deal negotiated by New Zealand.

In another move, Prime Minister Helen Clark last night announced that NZ and Australia would start talks on a free trade deal next year with the members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

She said the talks were a victory, despite concerns New Zealand would enter discussions with countries that had poor human rights records, such as Myanmar.