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August Update from Kea
Kia ora,
This month has been a difficult one for Kiwi businesses, with the country going into a strict lockdown following a Delta outbreak. While lockdowns remain a key part of Aotearoa’s elimination strategy, it’s encouraging to see Kiwi business RockitTM apples use it to their advantage.
Rockit talks to Kea about how remaining COVID free is giving food and beverage export companies an advantage on the world stage. And, coming at this from an alternative angle, our Kea Regional Director in China looks at how strict measures by the Chinese Government to control their Delta outbreak in the East of the country is affecting Kiwi food and beverage exporters.
While New Zealand remains in varying levels of lockdown for now, other parts of the world are swinging back into motion. We look at how easing restrictions in the Europe and America are contributing to a post lockdown spending spree and hear which sectors are benefitting.
This month Kea has helped facilitate 116 connections and assisted 52 businesses, read on for all our highlights!
Ngā mihi nui
Toni Truslove
Kea Global CEO
- AUGUST CASE STUDY – HOW ROCKIT UPSET THE APPLE CART
- 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
AUGUST CASE STUDY
HOW ROCKIT UPSET THE APPLE CART
From a single seed to almost two million trees worldwide, RockitTM apples is a true global success story. The company now has licence to grow their apples in ten different countries and export deals with more than 30 others.
We spoke to GM of Global Marketing, Julian Smith about why New Zealand’s COVID elimination strategy is of benefit to Kiwi export businesses, and how a focus on research and innovation has helped the company take a bite out of the multi billion dollar apple industry.
INSIGHTS FROM OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY
CHINA
Kiwi fruit and vegetable exporters are being affected by strict new import measures put in place by the Chinese to help control the Asian nation’s regional Delta outbreaks. Our China Regional Director, Ciara Liu explains how the latest virus outbreaks are affecting China’s economic recovery. READ MORE
UK & EUROPE
The European economy is swinging back into motion with the near-term outlook brighter than expected. Our UK and Europe Regional Director, Sara Fogarty tells us which markets are benefiting from consumer’s post lockdown spending spree. READ MORE
NORTH AMERICA
Meet our new North America Regional Director Gary Fortune, he talks to us about his background in the music export industry and why he’s looking forward to establishing new connections and growing Kiwi export businesses. READ MORE
GOVERNMENT UPDATE
CHANGES TO GOVERNMENT MIQ SYSTEM
The big news for Kea’s offshore community and Kea Connect customers keen to recommence business travel was the announcement of changes to the MIQ system – the broadening of criteria for those who can apply for an emergency allocation, and the piloting of a virtual lobby system. The virtual lobby pilot will kick off once the current pause on vouchers is lifted, with the objective of both increasing transparency and creating a level playing field for those accessing the booking site.
Following on from the release of the Future Aspirations report data at the end of July, the Kea team have had progress meetings with MBIE’s Small Business Policy, Better for Business and Digital, Data and Insights teams to uncover ways the data might contribute to work underway for each of the teams. Of particular interest were insights around the skills returning Kiwi are bringing back, where in New Zealand they’re likely to settle and how might we connect people to the right roles, advisory opportunities or business investments.
Saya Wahrlich, Global Director, Government & Industry
THIS MONTH IN NUMBERS
52
Number of Kiwi businesses assisted this month
114
Number of connections made this month
616
Number of connections made this year to date*
*Year to date reflects financial year commencing 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022
SECTORS KEA CONNECT SUPPORTED THIS MONTH
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 SOFTWARE FOUNDER TAKES ON NEW CHALLENGE
Upstock provides easy online order management software for buyers & suppliers in the hospitality industry, allowing businesses to handle all their wholesale orders in a simple app.
Managed by a former co-founder of Xero, Upstock is now focusing on growth in Australia. their primary objective is to do foundational market research. This involves speaking with those in the hospitality industry around their current processes and challenges, and receiving feedback on the relevance of their solution. Upstock sought connections to owners of small restaurants, cafes, and bars around Australia as well as introductions with small F&B producers. They engaged Kea Connect to help start these conversations.
Kea introduced the founder to six individuals: four founders across beverage brands, and two restaurant owners, who were all more than happy to help with feedback and further introductions.
HE TAONGA NO AOTEAROA – A PRECIOUS GIFT FROM NEW ZEALAND
Wai Mānuka is New Zealand’s premium non-alcoholic beverage that infuses mānuka honey with lemon juice and sparkling water. Launched in late 2020, they were the official beverage supplier to America’s Cup and have since picked up local partnerships. Their vision is “He taonga no Aotearoa – a precious gift from NZ.”
As they explore Asia as a key export market, the founders sought guidance from our Kea community, to:
- help provide a broader understanding of F&B landscapes in Asia
- provide feedback on consumer attitudes toward similar products already in-market
- help provide a different lens or perspective, to help them position their brand or unlock opportunities they might not be aware of
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AWARDS FINALISTS NAMED
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise have named their finalists for the 2021 International Business Awards. It’s great to see so many Kea Connect businesses in the running.
TOP 5 HOTTEST KIWI BIOTECH STARTUPS
Kea community member Dil Khosa looks at the growing Biotech market and how it will impact our fight against disease. She also names her top five hottest New Zealand biotech startups that you may not have heard of.
ROOM FOR OPTIMISM AROUND LOCKDOWN SPENDING
BNZ chief economist Paul Conway explains why the latest lockdown could have less of an economic impact on businesses than March 2020.
TRENDING AT KEA
VOICES OF THE COMMUNITY
We speak to four offshore Kea community members about how the pandemic has changed their views and what they are doing to stay connected. READ MORE
WHY WELLNESS BENEFITS YOUR BUSINESS
Inspiring offshore Kiwi Graham Perry talks to us about the growing corporate wellness industry and why businesses should be keeping it top of mind right now READ MORE
VOTING, VACCINATIONS AND VACATIONS
Kea community member and TVNZ Foreign Correspondent Anna Burns-Francis shares her stories from behind the camera as she works to keep Kiwi connected to world news READ MORE
UPCOMING EVENTS
Nominations are now open for the 2022 Kea World Class New Zealand Awards if you know a high achieving industry leader who lends their influence and insight to help Kiwi succeed on the world stage then nominate them HERE
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
Taking Kiwi Food and Beverage to the world. Join us in Auckland to hear from some of New Zealand’s top food and Beverage exporters including Nick Siu, who was told by investors that his product, avocadomilk, would never sell – it now sits on the shelves of more than 1000 stores across the USA. 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.
HOW KEA CAN HELP
Join
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Kea Connect
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