The Government aimed to increase exports from 30 per cent of New Zealand GDP to 40 per cent by 2025, Economic Development Minister Steven Joyce told New Zealand property industry professionals.

Mr Joyce, speaking at the Property Council New Zealand national conference in Queenstown, said it could take Europe 10 to 15 years to emerge from an environment of overhanging debt and an unwieldy European Union characterised by control but little public endorsement.

These were times like no other since the Great Depression but the good news was Asia, he said.

Demographic estimates projected the middle-income earning Asian market to grow more than any other by 2030.

New Zealand's exports needed to grow by about 7 per cent per year, compared to the existing 4 per cent to meet that target.

The opportunity was there as long as New Zealanders were prepared to welcome investment, he said. john.edens@stl.co.nz

- © Fairfax NZ News

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