Peters claims fishy deal is sinking our economy

The frozen fish. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Frozen fish sold in a nationwide supermarket chain is making a 21,954km trip to our kitchen tables: caught in New Zealand, filleted in China, flown back here for dinner.

The fish fillets are sold proclaiming "New Zealand Tarakihi Fillets" - with smaller type on the back admitting they had been processed in China.

The practice was highlighted last night by New Zealand First leader Winston Peters - a keen fisherman - in a speech to party faithful in Mosgiel.

Peters used the fillets as an example to back his claim that New Zealand's free trade agreement with China is causing the economy to do much worse than Australia's.

"Added value including shipping and transportation is given to their economy," he said. "The value should be added in New Zealand; that's what smart companies do."

Peters said Australia's "nationalistic" economic approach was the reason for that country's $85.9 billion per annum trade with China. Australia does not have a free trade agreement with China.

He labelled our free trade agreement "blind theory".

The Herald on Sunday found the United Brand tarakihi fillets at Foodtown on Quay St in Auckland central yesterday in the frozen fish section.

The 500g bag of fish fillets sells for $13.95 in Foodtown and Countdown stores and is clearly labelled New Zealand Tarakihi. On the back label there is a small disclaimer saying the the fish had been processed in China.

A spokesman for Foodtown's owners Progressive Enterprises Limited said the product met the supermarket chain's specifications and was accurately labelled. "It's part of the wide range of fish products that we offer our customers, so they can make the best choice for themselves," he said.

At the Newton Fish and Chippery, in Auckland, Steven Joung said he would never sell his customers frozen fish from China, "unless there's no fresh fish in town".

- HERALD ON SUNDAY