September Update from Kea

• SEPTEMBER CASE STUDY – FOUR KIWI WOMEN FIGHTING TO SAVE THE PLANET
• INSIGHTS FROM OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY
• GOVERNMENT UPDATE
• THIS MONTH IN NUMBERS
• GROWTH THROUGH KEA CONNECT
• IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
• TRENDING AT KEA
• UPCOMING EVENTS
• HOW KEA CAN HELP

FOUR WOMEN FIGHTING TO SAVE THE PLANET

Today marks the start of Expo 2020 in Dubai. This week the global conversation turns to the first of Expo’s 11 themes, Climate and Biodiversity, asking the question ‘How do we work together to better manage climate change and protect biodiversity?’

To get a Kea perspective we spoke to four inspiring members of our community who are working across different areas of sustainability from green buildings, to green finance to packaging and change brokering. Find out how their work is having a global impact.

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CHINA

China is looking to invest more than $30 trillion USD in sustainability initiatives in order to meet its 2060 carbon goals with the energy and power generation sectors likely to be most affected. Our China Regional Director, Ciara Liu explains how this is creating plenty of opportunities for Kiwi businesses. READ MORE

UK & EUROPE

Big changes are coming to the packaging sector in the UK. Reforms currently under consultation would see producers becoming financially responsible for funding the net costs associated with dealing with packaging waste. Our UK and Europe Regional Director, Sara Fogarty explains how this could impact Kiwi exporters. READ MORE

NORTH AMERICA

Growth of organic sustainable food has been reignited by lockdowns and a focus on health in the US. Our North America Regional Director Gary Fortune, looks at how Kiwi brands are positioning themselves and their products to ensure they stay on consumer radars. READ MORE

EXPO 2020 SIGNALS AOTEAROA IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

The big news this week is the opening of Expo 2020 Dubai. Running for six months from 1 October 2021 to 31 March 2022, this global event is an opportunity to reconnect with the world, and to promote New Zealand as a progressive, innovative, and trusted partner. With 192 participating nations, including all of New Zealand’s major trade partners, Expo is an opportunity to signal that although our borders are closed, New Zealand is open for business. 

Alongside cultural activities and events at New Zealand’s pavilion including Taste New Zealand and Te Aratini/Festival of Indigenous and Tribal Ideas, NZTE is running an extensive Expo Business Leverage Programme to support and accelerate the growth of exporters into the Middle East, including a Māori business focus. 

The official Expo programme centres around 11 globally impactful themes. The first of these themed weeks commencing 3 October is Climate and Biodiversity, and participating nations engage in answering the question ‘How do we work together to better manage climate change and protect biodiversity?’ With COP26 just a month away, leading with a Climate and Biodiversity theme is a great start for Expo 2020. 

Saya Wahrlich, Global Director, Government & Industry

*Year to date reflects financial year commencing 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022

SECTORS KEA CONNECT SUPPORTED THIS MONTH

25 RUGBY FIELDS OF RUBBISH IN JUST 6 MONTHS

Reusabowl are a business on a mission to replace all single-use packaging worldwide with reusable solutions. The company was founded in 2018 by three passionate individuals who were fed up with single use food packaging.

A national audit found that we throw away 25 rugby fields of takeaway containers every six months. That’s Packaging which takes energy to produce, travels miles to get to our hands, yet only lasts a moment. The Reusabowl concept is simple. You pay $10 to ‘rent’ a bowl with your takeaways and then you simply refill it later on at another eatery or you return it for a refund. Reusabowl isn’t just about the product – it’s about creating products and systems that encourage sustainable action, and circular thinking.

After a successful crowdfund campaign in 2019, and CreativeHQ’s incubation programme in March 2020, Reusabowl launched across 4 eateries in Wellington in August 2020. While young, Reusabowl are proactively exploring export opportunities in Australia and the UK and Kea is helping with connections to help them investigate market fit and relevance.

WORLD FIRST IN WELLINGTON

Wellington born company Mevo are taking on the world, becoming the first ever climate positive car share company.

Mevo are on a mission to create more liveable, sustainable cities by providing a better alternative to private car ownership. New Zealand has the 3^rd highest rate of car ownership in the world, yet we use our cars just 5% of the time. Since it’s inception Mevo has recorded more than 100,000 trips amongst users on it’s app which has in turn helped removed 366 tonnes of carbon from the atmosphere.

Additionally, Mevo meticulously accounts for all the built and emitted carbon from their vehicles, and offsets this 120% through local carbon offsetting projects. In March this year, Mevo announced a $30 million vehicle supply agreement with the Ebbett Group, one of New Zealand’s largest automotive retailers. Kea is delighted to support Mevo’s export path, through industry introductions to our community in the USA.

PROTECTING YOUR COMPANY FROM GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN CYBER ATTACKS

DLA Piper’s Lea Lurquin looks at how cyber attackers force their way into company environments by exploiting security vulnerabilities not in the company’s network. Find out what you can do to protect your business.

GO CIRCULAR PROGRAMME OFF TO GREAT START

Last week the Sustainability Business Network and partners including NZTE launched the Go Circular 2025 programme. The programme provides practical tools and resources to help Kiwi businesses thrive in a low-carbon circular economy. 

CONSUMER CARD SPENDING CLIMBING OUT OF DELTA LOCKDOWN

New data from Bank of New Zealand shows card spending is heading back towards pre-delta lockdown levels. BNZ Chief Economist, Paul Conway, says, “The drop in card spending caused by the delta lockdown is well on the way to recovery

WHY AFGHANISTAN’S CONFLICT ISN’T BLACK AND WHITE

Charlotte Bellis is on the front lines of the Afghanistan conflict, hear about her experiences during the Taliban takeover and find out what she says the conflict is so complicated. READ MORE

DID DIGITAL KILL THE MARKETING STAR?

Marketing veteran Richard Bleasdale says the rise of digital marketing has a lot to answer for and not necessarily in a good way, do you agree?  READ MORE

OPPORTUNITIES APLENTY IN AOTEAROA

When Travis Harris first thought about moving back to New Zealand he thought it might affect his career, find out why he couldn’t be more wrong.   READ MORE

Launching your business in New Zealand. If you’re looking to launch your business in New Zealand then don’t miss our webinar which will provide crucial market insight and expert advice into Aotearoa’s business ecosystem. SIGN UP

How to become a change maker at work Almost 80% of employees say they want their company to advocate for social issues. Join our webinar to hear from Humblebrag founder Lucy von Sturmer about how to best lead the change in your workplace. SIGN UP

Returner meet-ups will be back as soon as Aotearoa returns to Level 1. Keep an eye on our events page and newsletters for the latest information.