Businesses going global

In 2014 Ashlee applied for a young reporter scholarship to attend the Youth Olympics in Nanjing, China. She embarked on her first big overseas adventure, an adventure which left her waiting more. Two years later she was in Norway covering the Youth Winter Olympics with the support from her Kiwi employer, Newshub, when she learnt the IOC was launching their own digital channel which would be based out of Spain. She applied for a role and before she knew it was on a plane to Madrid. 

That was the start of seven crazy years in an incredible job which took Ashlee all over the world. A day after landing in Spain she was on a plane to South America to cover the Rio 2016 Olympics and from there the whirlwind never really stopped. The Olympic channel and Olympics.com tells athletes’ stories before, during and after the Olympics every four years. She worked with a team that provided constant exposure for sports and Olympians 24 hours a day, 365 days a year in 12 languages.

Ashlee admits she likes to do things ‘a bit differently’ and the idea of moving to Spain appealed to her more than a traditional OE in somewhere like London. 

“I have always wanted to learn how to play the guitar, so I had this grand idea that I would move to Spain and learn to play the guitar while also learning to speak Spanish, but those two things are much easier said than done.” 

The Olympic Channel hired staff from all over the world so Ashlee’s immediate workmates came from places like Kenya, Malaysia, Germany, the UK, Italy and Spain. Despite being based in Madrid the common language in the office was English and so the opportunities to practise Spanish were not as common as Ashlee had originally thought. 

“What was really great is that we were a new team from all over the world, all going through this new experience and adventure together. Some people had children and we would have gatherings where they would bring their kids along and the kids were speaking fluent Spanish with our Spanish colleagues. They were picking it up so quickly at school and much faster than their parents and the rest of us.”

Along with the language there were also other things that Ashlee had to learn as she adjusted to life on the other side of the world. 

“While I was in Rio, I bought a bunch of postcards and on the plane I wrote to all my family. My dad is from a big Maori whanau and he has 13 Uncles and Aunties so I have a lot of second cousins that I wrote to, but once I landed back in Madrid it took me three months to send them because I couldn’t find stamps anywhere. It turns out you buy stamps from the tobacco shops in Spain and that’s somewhere I never would have thought to have looked.”

That was just one of the many, many lessons she learned along the way. 

“I used to think it sounded silly when people would say ‘travel changes you’ but now I see what they mean. I think it’s more than just travelling to places, it’s living and immersing yourself within a new culture and community. It’s going through the transition of trying to establish yourself in a different country and understanding your identity there that really changes and impacts you. I think that growth and those experiences are really positive things.”

Despite loving her time overseas, Ashlee and her Kiwi partner always knew they would return to New Zealand someday, and it was during the pandemic that they began to think about when the right time might be. 

“I’d spent seven years travelling and learning and exploring and just having the most wild adventure, but I think being overseas during Covid really took its toll. I’ve always been a really proud Kiwi and I struggled with the fact that I couldn’t come back to visit. I remember it got to a point at the start of 2022 when it was three or four o’clock in the morning and I was trying to win one of the isolation lottery spots and I just felt really frustrated and so upset with the whole situation that, I don’t know, I just felt really broken.”

Having moved back to New Zealand earlier this year Ashlee says she and her partner are enjoying being home and closer to friends and family. She’s also determined not to lose some of the skills she picked up overseas including her spanish. 

“One of my best friends is Spanish and she speaks to me on the phone in Spanish or Spanglish (Spanish-English), so it’s really good when I catch up with her because I end up speaking it as well. I was really nervous about losing the language so I am working to keep it up.”

Despite her incredible role overseas Ashlee is excited about future opportunities in New Zealand and sees moving home as a really positive next step in her career. 

“On a professional level, I felt like I’d been able to do so many cool things, but I also knew that I was ready for a new challenge because I didn’t want to be living on a plane. When I looked at what was happening in New Zealand and Australia, there’s a lot of really big sporting events coming up in the next 10 years and I was really excited about the opportunities. I’m really looking forward to taking everything I have learned overseas and being able to apply that here. New Zealand is a real front runner in terms of Women’s sport, not just with what’s happening on the field, but with media and the way in which we portray women. I love that, and I want to be a part of it, so I’m really excited about the next few years. 

Ashlee says her advice to other Kiwi looking to return is to firstly make sure it’s the right time for you and secondly to give yourself the time and space you need to, as a way to close that chapter of your life.

“Take the time to think about what is right for you. I know that sometimes people feel like they have to return for a whole lot of reasons so I guess my advice would be to allow yourself time to work out what is calling you home and then take the time to say goodbye to the place you have been living. I think it’s important to give yourself the time to really celebrate and appreciate the time that you’ve spent overseas, to go to the places and people that brought you joy and if possible, don’t rush saying goodbye. Leaving a place can be really hectic and stressful, so it is important to give yourself time to process everything and visit your favourite cafes or parks one last time, see the people you spent time with, just to help close that chapter.”

After being home three months now Ashlee says she is still settling into life back in New Zealand and getting into a routine. She’s happy to take the time to settle back in properly. 

“It’s difficult to get the balance right between coming back and giving yourself the grace and the time to kind of adjust and enjoy being here, but then there’s also that next gear of, okay, now we need to get into work. We need to get a job, we need to set ourselves up. I think it’s important to just remind yourself that some things are going to take time and  that previous jobs, or previous, moves didn’t all fall into place immediately or perfectly and coming back to New Zealand is no different.” 

“I see New Zealand through a new lens these days,I have definitely come back with a fresh new perspective. I worked out that in 2022 I had been on over 60 flights which is more than one a week, so I am definitely enjoying the change in pace back here. You travel to all these amazing countries and they’re really special and you have beautiful memories, but there really is something about New Zealand that is unique, and there really is no place like home.”

Rachael Pynenburg, Camden London.

How long have you lived offshore? 7 years now. I went back and forth between working in France and London, but I’ve been settled in London since July 2021.

What do you love most about London? I love that London is truly a melting pot of people from all over the world who are united in the decision to call London their home. Friendships form fast and run deep as we look to form families away from home. And working in hospitality is definitely the epicentre of this multiculturalism. In kitchens I’ve worked in there have been as many as 10 different countries and languages represented. The other best thing about being in such a large and diverse city is, whatever your interests are, no matter how niche, you’ll find a bunch of people who love them as much as you do.

If someone was coming to visit, what are two places you would recommend them visiting and why? St Johns, it’s an absolute London institution! As a chef eating out I can be a little particular, but St John’s always impresses with a daily changing menu, fantastic service, a wonderful wine list and top-notch negronis. There are several sites in the city, each which have their own vibe but all are equally delicious!

And then the Southbank Centre, they have such an incredible range of shows catering for everyone and in an expensive city you can see so many shows for less than £20. I’ve seen experimental soundscapes, the London City Orchestra doing techno covers, jazz quartets, major artists at the Meltdown Festival and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. As well as an epic programme it’s a lovely building with a great roof terrace for a pre-show glass of wine.

What’s the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore? Getting the best of both worlds – there are so many opportunities and experiences that being offshore allows regarding career and travel but every time I get off the plane, hear kiwi accents en masse and see the first glimpse of hills, sea and horizons I know I’m home.

What do you miss the most about New Zealand? Horizons, hills and open space. And drying my clothes on a washing line.

What advice would you give to your pre-offshore self/What would you have liked someone to have told you before you travelled? It takes a good 18 months to really feel settled and you really have to work at it to build those roots. A new city doesn’t become home if you’re heading to the airport every other weekend to travel and explore other countries. Put the time in and you’ll reap the benefits.

How do you remind yourself of home on days when you miss New Zealand? By going to one of the many cafes we are lucky enough to have with NZ baristas and beans and enjoying a good strong flat white. Sometimes you’ll even hit the jackpot and find an afghan biscuit or lamington!

Anderson Li, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China 

How long have you lived offshore? 5 years and counting. 

What do you love most about Guangzhou? Guangzhou is a cosmopolitan city which is also a sister city to Auckland and New York. It is a city mixed with a modern and bustling rhythm as well as a well preserved old town area. Guangzhou is well known as a food paradise. It offers gastronomy from around the world, convenient services, advanced transportation and attentive community services to many people from all over the country and the world. The annual Canton Fair brings together businessmen from all over the world, allowing Guangzhou’s economy to continue to grow and flourish.

If someone was coming to visit the area what are two places you would recommend them

visiting and why? First of all, I would recommend the Guangzhou Tower. It represents the rapid modernisation of Guangzhou. Secondly, I would recommend the old pagodas in the old town area, as they represent the survival of the old Guangzhou culture, as well as the food that you can’t resist.

What’s the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore? I think the greatest experience was being able to bring the Kiwi culture to a new place in my life. I also felt the impact of the local culture on me, as I believe that one cannot grow without understanding different cultures and growing up in a new place can bring some unexpected gains for my future life and work when I get back to New Zealand.

What do you miss the most about New Zealand? I can’t forget the beautiful New Zealand where I have lived for almost 15 years, it is so pure and fresh. When I was sipping a cup of coffee by Lake Wanaka, feeling the breeze from the snow-capped mountains and talking to friends about ancient legends, everything was so beautiful. I think what I miss most is my old friends in New Zealand. It is said that whether a place will be missed or not is because there is a story there for you, good or bad, it is an experience that you cannot forget.

What advice would you give to your pre-offshore self/What would you have liked

someone to have told you before you travelled? Firstly Google to learn about the customs of the country you are going to visit, as well as the laws and regulations. For example, if you go to Singapore, you cannot chew gum, if you go to India, you cannot eat beef. Secondly Respect for local religious beliefs is very important, for example in Dubai you cannot look

directly at women.

How do you remind yourself of home on days when you miss New Zealand? Sometimes missing something doesn’t need to be spoken out loud, hiding it in your heart and remembering it is the best option.

Vanessa Leung, Shanghai

How long have you lived offshore? A year now! As of the 10th May

What do you love most about Shanghai? There are so many things I love about Shanghai. If I had to pick one it would be there is always something to do in this city and it accommodates everyone. I am a massive foodie, so what I love in particular is there are so many cheap local eats to experience delicious Chinese food like beef noodles, shengjian bao, dumplings etc. but at the same time there is a huge range of other cuisines and world class restaurants to choose from.

If someone was coming to visit the area what are two places you would recommend

them visiting and why? I would recommend them taking a trip up to the top of the Shanghai financial tower to experience the views from the 92 nd Floor, especially during the night where you can see the spectacular view of the bund lit up. Second place would be to go to Yu Gardens and experience the view of a classic Chinese garden, and historical Chinese buildings. It is essentially a 400 year old garden in the middle of Shanghai. Super beautiful!

What’s the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore? You meet and come across so many new people who come from all over the world, especially in a city like Shanghai where there are quite a few expats. Everyone you meet has a different story and you can learn more about different countries and customs through them. You can also experience different cultures, for example, last year I didn’t only celebrate the classic kiwi holidays, but was also invited to my first thanksgiving!

What do you miss the most about New Zealand? Besides mince and cheese pie… I miss the space and view! Living in NZ, you take for granted the beautiful nature that surrounds you. Back in Wellington, I can walk 30 mins, and be on a hike where it takes me out of the city, climb to the top and experience the beautiful view. In Shanghai, it’s a lot harder to get that without travelling a fair distance.

What advice would you give to your pre-offshore self/What would you have liked someone to have told you before you travelled? Keep an open-mind towards everything and try to do some culture and history training before you arrive and after you arrive. There are so many reasons why people behave the way they do, and by understanding this, your experience offshore will be further enriched by this knowledge.

How do you remind yourself of home on days when you miss New Zealand? I would go and hang out with the kiwi community – always nice to hear the accent and hang out

with a bunch of people that have the same background. I also cook! I will make food that reminds me of home, for example a good lamb roast, anzac biscuits or hot cross buns for

Easter.

Tony Frost, Changshu and Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, China.

How long have you lived offshore? I have been working in China since July 2005 and travel back and forth between New Zealand and Shanghai, most stays here are 30 to 120 days and home for 60 to 100 days and then back again.

What do you love most about Changshu and Suzhou? My China home is full of friendships with wonderful Chinese and foreigners, the atmosphere is electric and the working environment is hugely satisfying.

If someone was coming to visit the area what are two places you would recommend them visiting and why? For me I love Suzhou (Lake side city) and Shekou (seaside city), both places are relatively young cities with amazing old China towns in the mix of 20th century architecture and wonderful eateries and bars. 

What’s the best thing about being a Kiwi offshore? I feel it is the respect we have as Kiwis, generally known as honest hard working polite people that think of others ahead of ourselves, this too often gets lost in the busy life we have in NZ, Kiwi’s in most are calm good people as are most Chinese I have met here.

What do you miss the most about New Zealand? Family, Friends, hobbies and the lifestyle, NZ is always home and will always be where I belong, China is also a place I will miss dearly when its time to hang up my career and settle back into the Kiwi lifestyle when home. A cold beer with a fishing rod in hand with friends and family on a boat in the Marlborough Sounds is bliss and I do miss this.

What advice would you give to your pre-offshore self/What would you have liked someone to have told you before you travelled?  From day one I have always felt welcome here and have no regrets other than I wish I had learned Chinese so communications were easier, that said I have always managed to get my point heard and heard the other side (WeChat is amazing :-). The balance between living here and New Zealand makes me feel incredibly privileged and in some ways proud that I seem to have made myself welcome wherever I go.

How do you remind yourself of home on days when you miss New Zealand? Seeing New Zealand produce in restaurants and supermarkets always brings a sense of pride and reminds me of NZ. Meeting up for a beer with Kiwi’s watching a game of the All Blacks also reminds me of very fond memories of home.

North America

According to a report released this month the US has surpassed Australia to become New Zealand’s second largest export market in the year ending March 2024, now trailing only behind China. Last year New Zealand exported NZ$14.6 billion in goods and services to the US and imported NZ$11.4 billion, representing a trade balance of NZ$3.5 billion and a total trade value of NZ$25.8 billion. Unlike the overall export figures for New Zealand in 2023 which saw goods export growth fall and services increase, both goods and services exports to the US grew. Goods growth was a solid 5.8% though services enjoyed particularly strong growth of 32%. 

However it may not be cause for export Kiwi companies to celebrate, with data released this month showing US consumer spending remains sluggish. US retail sales barely rose in May with inflation and higher interest rates testing the resilience of consumers and forcing households to prioritise essentials and cut back on discretionary spending. Tepid retail sales bolstered economists’ expectations that the Federal Reserve could still start cutting interest rates in September. U.S. central bank officials last week saw the anticipated rate cut delayed to perhaps as late as December. This year’s US elections are also being blamed for the cautionary outlook. 

The tech sector and in particular AI continues to drive growth in the US and this month, Nvidia, Wall Street’s artificial intelligence poster child, is now the most valuable company in the world, taking the crown from Microsoft. Nvidia’s market capitalization closed at roughly $3.34 trillion this week, edging past Microsoft’s $3.32 trillion value. Apple is the third most valuable company in the US with a $3.27 trillion market cap.The chip maker’s stock has been on the rise for the last year and a half. Nvidia’s chips are unmatched in producing processors that power artificial intelligence systems, including for generative AI, the technology backing OpenAI’s ChatGPT that can create text, images and other media.

Gary Fortune, Kea North America Regional Director

UK and Europe

The focus in the EU this month has been on the European Parliament Elections. 27 member states of the European Union held elections for the European Parliament from 6–9 June. With 185 million votes counted, the European People’s Party — European Commission President von der Leyen’s centre-right party — emerged in top position with a quarter of the seats (189) in the 720 seat chamber, up from a fifth in 2019. More generally, the elections saw the far-right gain ground across the bloc but not enough to put them in power in EU institutions. President Macron, who saw the nationalist party led by Marine Le Pen win more than twice the votes of his centrist alliance, called a snap election in France, which will be held in two rounds on 30 June and 7 July. This election, alongside the July election in the UK will no doubt create some uncertainty in the markets over the coming months and Kiwi exporters will need to keep this in mind. It’s also worth noting that the UK is about to enter its summer trading period with many businesses closing and people travelling for the holidays, so market visits may not be as fruitful in the coming months.

On 31 May, Minister for Trade Todd McClay and British High Commissioner Iona Thomas met to celebrate the one year anniversary of the New Zealand – United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement. The agreement has been a game changer for Kiwi businesses with exports to the UK growing by 19 percent since entry into force. Officials from MFAT and the UK Department for Business and Trade held the inaugural Joint Committee that oversees the operation of the agreement. The FTA is being utilised at a high rate with the UK now New Zealand’s fastest growing market. Highlights from the Joint Committee include accepting a wider range of oenological practices and discussing opportunities to better integrate digital technologies into trading processes.  

The European Central Bank cut interest rates on 6 June for the first time in almost five years, but warned future reductions would depend on price pressures easing further. Accordingly, the 25 basis point cut is seen by commentators as a calibrated step to weaken the vice on the Eurozone economy, and not the beginning of a quickfire easing cycle. 

Sara Fogarty, Kea UK/Europe Regional Director

China

At the end of May Shanghai welcomed around 150,000 visitors to the annual SIAL China, a leading trade fair for the food & beverage industry. This year the event was held concurrently with SIAL Wine World and showcased a number of trends which are dominating the Chinese market at present. 

China’s food industry is huge and provides a lot of opportunities for Kiwi exporters who are successful in breaking into this difficult market. Most of this year’s trends were linked to health and convenience – two key factors driving the industry. Overarching trends included healthy upgrades for non-guilty pleasures, snack innovation for emotional comfort / self-care, and the blurring of lines between snacks and meals. 

Brands looking to cash in on consumers’ desire for healthy snack options are doing so by emphasising benefits like high protein, high fibre, and vitamin-fortified snacks. They are also showcasing foods which have low or no fat and zero additives and using techniques like liquid nitrogen and freeze drying to maintain the original nutritional value and taste as much as possible. For example domestic brand Wuling Times (五零时代) have launched their ‘vitamin C infused spicy strip.’. 200g of spicy strips contain approximately 100mg of vitamin C, equivalent to 2 oranges. They also contain no additives. This type of transparent marketing on what is not in the product is driving huge brand growth in this category. 

On the flipside there are increasing numbers of young people who are increasingly struggling with life’s pressures and psychological challenges. Growing awareness in Mental Health and emotional regulation has opened up new opportunities for innovation in the snack market, especially in sweets. Snack products can offer emotional comfort to consumers through rich taste experiences, IP collaborations, vibrant packaging and playful snacking experiences. 

And finally meal replacement snacks are gaining popularity. Changes in family structures are leading to an increase in the number of individuals living alone, primarily young people. This group prioritises convenience and are more likely to forgo time consuming and inconvenient cooking leading to huge opportunities for brands who can capitalise on these trends. 

Rebecca Bao, China Regional Director

New Zealand

New Zealand has just hosted ASEAN and Australian officials for the ASEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA) Joint Committee in Auckland. The Joint Committee brought together technical trade officials to discuss implementation of the AANZFTA agreement and build momentum towards entry into force of the AANZFTA upgrade. Alongside the meetings, New Zealand held a Workshop on Non-tariff Barriers and an Integration Partnership Forum on Enabling MSMEs to Trade and Internationalise. 

The Prime Minister has also taken part in his first official visit to the Pacific this month visiting Niue and Fiji. Christopher Luxon and Niue Premier Tagelagi discussed the bilateral relationship and priority areas of focus, before meeting with Fiji’s Prime Minister Hon Sitiveni Rabuka and Fijian President H.E. Ratu Wiliame Katonivere. The visit had a significant trade and economic focus with Prime Minister Luxon noting that Fiji is one of New Zealand’s top 25 trading partners and presents opportunities for New Zealand and Fijian businesses to deepen trade and investment linkages. Two-way trade over the past year grew by almost 40 percent which is the second highest growth rate of any of New Zealand’s top 25 trading partners — behind only India. The Prime Minister made a series of announcements including the removal of transit visa requirements for Fijian citizens transiting New Zealand, aspiration for two-way trade to reach NZ$2 billion by 2030 and several climate and agriculture development initiatives.

Finally this month there has also been a strong focus on increasing trade with Japan – currently New Zealand’s 4th largest trading partner. The Prime Minister has led a large trade delegation to the country with the aim of strengthening relationships and attracting investment into New Zealand. The Prime Minister says Japan is a key part of the Government’s efforts to double exports in the next 10 years. Christopher Luxon visited New Zealand-related trade and enterprises, including a Costco selling New Zealand kiwifruit, salmon and honey, as well as watching Rocket Lab sign an agreement to launch satellites for a Japanese company.

Kellie Addison, Global Director Stakeholder Affairs

Alberts is Auckland’s first business members club, providing access to workspaces, meeting rooms, collaborative areas and bespoke events, all designed to enhance business opportunities for today’s borderless workforce. 

Kea Global CEO Toni Truslove says partnering with Alberts NZ provides a home for Kea and our community events as well as a significantly discounted offering for our World Class New Zealanders, Kea connect businesses and the wider Kea global community, in the heart of Auckland’s CBD.

“We know a large number of our global community are either based in Auckland or travel to Auckland frequently on business. Alberts provides a central hub which will allow our members to seamlessly conduct meetings and appointments during their stay. For those heading to Auckland on holiday, Alberts offers the opportunity for remote working, allowing people to potentially spend more time with friends and family.” 

Cornelia Kidd, NZ Head of Clubs says Alberts looks forward to welcoming Kea’s global community and export businesses to their array of workspaces both in New Zealand and around the world.

“We look forward to welcoming Kea’s global community to the Alberts club. Alberts is globally connected and members consist of SMEs, culture-makers and innovators who are shaping the future of New Zealand and beyond.”

As part of the partnership Kea will host a number of business focused events at Alberts which will focus on sharing global insights and inspiration with the wider New Zealand business community.

If you’re a Kea member and would like to learn more about Alberts and take advantage of our members discount please get in touch at [email protected] 

For more information or for media enquiries please contact 

Kellie Addison, Kea Global Partnerships and Communications Director: 

021897548 [email protected]

Cornelia Kidd, Alberts NZ Head of Clubs

0272720939  [email protected] 

Kea is a Public/Private not for profit, supported by NZTE, MFAT and MBIE 

New Zealand has the second largest offshore community per capita in the OECD. Kea was founded in 2001 to connect and engage our global people, for the benefit of Aotearoa. Two decades on, Kea nurtures a vibrant and diverse community who share a strong passion for New Zealand and the success of its people and businesses. Our mission to connect New Zealanders has never been more important. To find our more visit https://www.keanewzealand.com/ 

Ben Appleton 

Ben Appleton set off to the UK to do his OE with plans to return after a couple of years. Seven years on he now calls London home. Ben works in the recruitment space but was nominated to join the World Class network because of this work with, and commitment to Ngāti Rānana, The London Māori Club. Ben is one of the senior kaiāwhina (tutors) with Ngāti Rānana, and through his work with Ngāti Rānana, is helping shape the way Maori culture is respected and explained on the world stage. 

Last year the club put on 33 separate live performances for events such as the Dubai Expo, Museum exhibition openings, the signing of the Free Trade agreements at 10 Downing Street, and the London Kea World Class New Zealand Award event. Ngāti Rānana is a not-for-profit organisation, and will only align itself with organisations which match the groups tikanga, morals and values of kotahitanga (unity), whanaungatanga (kinship) and manaakitanga (generosity). 

Ben’s work with the group aims to uplift Māori and the mana of New Zealand in general and the purpose of any performance is to educate people and have more of a cultural exchange and explain the deeper meaning behind Māori customs. He also plays a key role in bringing together Kiwi in London and making sure that those who land in the UK feel welcome and are able to maintain a link to Aotearoa, their whenua and whanau. 

Jen Parr 

An Oregon native and graduate of Stanford University, Jen adds a depth of international winemaking experience including in the USA, France, South Africa and Australia. She has completed 17 harvests in NZ and has completed 30 vintages overall.

Jen was the head winemaker for Otago based Olssens (which went on to become Terra Sancta), from 2009 till 2014. Her wines regularly grace the pages of wine and food magazines, often making Top 10 lists. Prior to joining Valli, Jen received 5 Trophies for Pinot Noir and Pinot Noir Rosé including ‘Champion Wine of Show’ in 2012 where she was the first winemaker to receive the ‘Champion Winemaker Award’ at the prestigious New Zealand International Wine Show. In 2018 she was awarded Winemaker of the Year as part of the NZ International Aromatics Competition and in 2020 was crowned Gourmet Traveller WINE, New Zealand Winemaker of the Year.

Jen loves to share her tremendous passion for wine and winemaking, teaching others about wine and its endless potential for enjoyment. She is an accomplished Wine Judge and is very active in the local wine industry, having served twice as the Chairperson for our Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration. She was one of nine Mentors nationally in the Women in Wine’s Pilot Mentor Programme in 2018 and has been very involved with the organisation of both the National and Central Otago Winemakers Workshops. Jen travels domestically and internationally promoting the NZ fine wine industry.

In 2019, Jen created a Valli wine that was a tribute to her wine dog Missy who passed away at the end of 2018. The ‘Missy’ vintage was bottled separately with some of the proceeds going to an Otago dog shelter. Jen has now produced four vintages in memory of various canine friends, following the enthusiastic reception from dog (and wine) lovers throughout NZ and the world with proceeds going to Pound Paws Animal Rescue in Oamaru and K9 Medical Detection, an Otago charity that raises and trains dogs for the early detection of cancer.

Alan Bougen

Alan and his co-founder registered Comvita in 1975. They dreamt of a company with a purpose; to work in harmony with bees and nature, to heal and protect the world. They believed food is our best medicine and that nature holds the answers to many of the world’s challenges. To this day, Comvita remains a trusted global brand for bee nutraceuticals and natural health products backed by science.

Alan guided Comvita through its rapid early growth phases during the 80s and 90s, and during this time, Comvita pioneered significant development saround NZ UMF Mānuka Honey leading to its recognition as a nutraceutical and supporting its US FDA medical registration. Comvita’s current total revenue in excess of 200m. With over 500 FTEs worldwide, Comvita continues to operate from the Bay of Plenty. 

Alan held a company directorship role until recently and remains closely connected to the business and its people due to the strong and unique heritage story. Outside of Comvita, he has served on the Boards of The Sustainable Business Network and Enterprise Angel investment group. He remains actively involved in business mentoring and can still be found in his bee suit from time to time.

Genna Elvin

Genna co-leads TaDaweb, a European startup with global ambition that is pioneering the field of small data analytics. She is responsible for the company’s direction, steering the growth, strategy and company culture. She is incredibly passionate about startups and believes that the hacker mindset is crucial to unlock the impossible. She is also a big advocate for gender equality in the workforce and often speaks about the benefits of having women on management teams.

Originally from New Zealand, Genna sees herself as a fully fledged citizen of the world (living in Belgium, working in Luxembourg, and working with teams in France, Ireland, UK, US, Belgium and Greece. She believes that interacting with other cultures really helps people to be able to see the bigger picture and is a huge advocate for travel. 

In addition to her role at Tadaweb, Genna is also a founding Board member of Startup Lu, and the Australia New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Luxembourg. In 2013, Genna was recognised by Forbes Magazine Europe’s Top 100 Female Founders list. When out of the office, Genna is a passionate foodie, dedicated to learning to cook and master techniques and dishes from around the globe. She has degrees in Psychology and Law & International Relations, as well as Masters research on the Impact of Social Media on conflict and group formation.