MENU
January Update from Kea
Tēnā koutou katoa,
Welcome to the New Year, and what a start we have had, with wild weather across much of the North Island. I hope you and your families have been able to stay safe and dry.
We are looking forward to a full and busy year at Kea and to help support this work we are delighted to announce the appointment of two new Co-chairs to our Global Kea Board. Mitchell Pham and Linda Jenkinson will replace our outgoing Chairperson Phil Veal, who is stepping down after 10 years in the role. We would like to thank Phil for his enormous contribution and look forward to continuing our relationship with him as a Kea ambassador. You can learn more about Mitchell and Linda’s incredible international business and community connection experience here.
This year we have a new look events schedule which will see us host more purpose driven events for our export business community in New Zealand and our wider global community overseas. These events will also drive greater value for our partners and allow us to bring together larger numbers of our community. The first event ‘Talent for the Taking’ will take place on Feb 23rd and will draw on insights from our recent report and feature a panel of speakers who will discuss global recruitment trends and insights. This year Kea’s events will have a small ticket charge but this will not apply to our partners. More details can be found below.
This month we would like to share with you the story of Michael Braithwaite who is the Creative Director of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Michael is the first non British Military person to ever hold the role and is a great example of a Kiwi raising New Zealand’s profile on the world stage.
We look forward to working with you in 2023.
Ngā mihi,
Toni Truslove
Kea Global CEO
- CASE STUDY – MEET THE KIWI KEEPING SCOTTISH TRADITION ALIVE
- INSIGHTS FROM OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY
- THIS MONTH IN NUMBERS
- GROWTH THROUGH KEA CONNECT
- NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
- TRENDING AT KEA
- UPCOMING EVENTS
- HOW KEA CAN HELP
CASE STUDY
Meet the Kiwi keeping Scottish tradition Alive
Michael Braithwaite is tasked with breathing new life into an event steeped in history and tradition. He’s the Creative Directory of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an event which has been running since 1950, involves a cast and crew of around 1500 and is the jewel in Edinburgh’s events crown. Kea caught up with the former Dunedin musician to find out how he’s ensuring the future success of the event by bringing together the old and the new, and adding a uniquely Kiwi twist. Read more
INSIGHTS FROM OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY
North America
The impending recession and the Super Bowl are dominating headlines in the US right now, but there is also a big push to get workers back in the office. Our North America Regional Director Gary Fortune, looks at how the 2023 business year is shaping up and what those entering the market need to know. READ MORE
UK and Europe
With the end of the year approaching there is still uncertainty across markets in the UK and with a cost of living crisis, the continued conflict in Ukraine and strikes across the UK all causing comThe focus for the UK and Europe this year will be Free Trade Agreements and amendments to the Youth Mobility Scheme. Our UK/Europe Regional Director, Sara Fogarty looks at the timings of these events and outlines several new key appointments happening in the NZ Inc community. READ MORE
China
After abandoning its ‘Zero Covid’ policy, China is open for business. Limitations for international travel are gone and airports are returning to daily flight volumes. Our China Regional Director Rebecca Bao has the latest information for those looking to travel into market to explore opportunities. READ MORE
New Zealand
This month saw the resignation of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. The resignation triggers a caucus vote to elect a new Party Leader on 22 January. The date for this years General Election was also announced. Global Director Government and Industry Saya Wahrlich has all the details including dates for advanced voting. READ MORE
THIS MONTH IN NUMBERS
59
Number of Kiwi businesses assisted
63
Number of connections made
880
Number of connections made year to date*
BUSINESSES ASSISTED MADE IN MARKET THIS MONTH**
SECTORS KEA CONNECT SUPPORTED THIS MONTH
*Year to date reflects financial year commencing 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023
**Some businesses were provided with connections in more than one market
GROWTH THROUGH KEA CONNECT
Each month Kea Connect helps Kiwi businesses grow by connecting them with Kiwi experts in markets all around the world. Here is an example of two businesses we helped this month.
Kiwi pork company takes steps towards export
Woody’s Free Range (WFR) produces free range pork in New Zealand. They supply large cuts and charcuterie to top restaurants, salami and sausage meat to high-end pizzarias and bacon to ethical cafes across the country. WFR is about to make the move into a new factory and with that, they are planning to start their export journey. Through Kea Connect, WFR was able to connect with a restaurant and bar owner in Tokyo, meat import/export experts in San Francisco and Hong Kong respectively and a Managing Director of a business consulting and sales representative company in Australia.
Kiwi architecture firm seeks help in Vietnam
Plus Architecture is a commercial practice offering services like master planning, architecture, interior design and visualisation across most market sectors. They have offices across Australia and New Zealand with over 200 staff across the group. Plus Architecture came to Kea seeking advice for their office setup in Vietnam.
Kea Connect was able to connect them with a Founding Managing Partner of an international law firm, the CEO of Asset Management from an investment company and the CEO and Chairman of a Big Four accounting firm in Vietnam to help with their expansion goals.
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Deel Simplifies Global HR With New Full-stack Platform
Deel has announced the launch of Deel HR, US Payroll, and Deel Engage, making it possible, for the first time, to hire, manage, and pay global teams compliantly on one platform. This news comes as Deel hits $295 million ARR at a $12 billion valuation – up from just $57 million ARR a year ago. READ MORE
Flying the Fern
Hear from 24 businesses using their ‘Kiwi-ness’ to break into offshore markets. New Zealand Story Group, recently launched a podcast featuring the tales of successful Kiwi businesses that have achieved international sales success, with a focus on storytelling that embraces country of origin and provenance values. Business profiles include Ecostore, Ārepa, Book Me Bob, Hybrid Bikes, FarmIQ and Trust Codes. LISTEN NOW
TRENDING AT KEA
From Copenhagen to Christchurch
For many returners, deciding which area of New Zealand to resettle in can be a big decision. This month we share the journey of Ross Milne, who moved back to Ōtautahi Christchurch to work for an innovative Kiwi start up. Find out what drew him home and the unexpected things he’s learnt along the way. READ MORE
Voices of the Kea community
Each month we talk to Kiwi all over the world and ask them a series of questions about the country they live in, their favourite places to visit and what they miss most about New Zealand. Plus we find out what they think the big topics for 2023 will be. This month we meet Jack Hau from China, Gabbie Tutheridge from New York, Jo Fletcher Manawa from London and Ben Cohen from Israel. READ MORE
New Year Honours for World Class New Zealanders
We would like to offer huge congratulations to two of our community members who were named in the 2023 King’s New Year Honours List. Dame Miranda Harcourt and Mitchell Pham ONZM are passionate and involved members of our World Class community and have given huge amounts of time and support back to their different industries. We caught up with Mitchell to discuss what this honour means to him. READ MORE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Talent for the taking – We invite all our partners to join Kea for our ‘Talent for the taking’ event in Auckland’s CBD on Feb 23rd. Hear from our panel of experts plus have the opportunity to ask questions and build your professional networks in this informative and inspiring evening. This event is perfect for businesses struggling to fill talent gaps or who are interested in setting up remote workers but not sure where to start. Please share this event with your networks. SIGN UP
Kea Glasgow Meetup If you are aware of any Kiwi in the Glasgow area please invite them to join us for an evening of networking on Tuesday 21 February from 6 – 8pm at the Theatre Royal Glasgow. Kea’s Global Director, Government & Industry, Saya Wahrlich, will be on hand to talk about Kea and discuss how the network operates to support its members across the world, she will be joined by World Class New Zealander, Alex Reedijk, General Director for Scottish Opera. SIGN UP
HOW KEA CAN HELP
Join
Join the Kea community, and stay connected to New Zealand, its people and businesses wherever you are in the world.
Kea Connect
Help Kiwi businesses explore their global potential through our worldwide community.
