Businesses going global

To support our webinar we have also provided a list of helpful links based on the information provided by our panelists.

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At just 26 years of age Emily Blythe is tackling the big problems. Her company, Pyper Vision, creates safe visibility at airports by dispersing fog using a specially designed drone. The drone distributes a non-hazardous powder which, as it falls, kickstarts the natural dispersal process within minutes. 

As far as Emily knows, it’s a world first solution, and one that’s very close to her heart. Growing up in an aviation family – her mum is an air traffic controller and her dad and grandad are both pilots, she saw first-hand the problems fog can create for airports and decided to do something about it, but she couldn’t solve the problem on her own.

“The beauty of being based in Christchurch, surrounded by such a strong aerospace community is that from day one Pyper Vision was able to lean into the expertise that exists, whether it is setting up an advisory board of airline regulators, pilots and passengers, or being able to access staff who have the training and skills to help us grow. To have that ongoing support has been invaluable.”

The Christchurch aerospace community has grown substantially over the past decade or two with industry body Aerospace Christchurch, set up in 2018. President Mark Rocket says when it comes to industry growth, Canterbury has a distinct advantage over many other cities both in New Zealand and around the world. 

“Christchurch has open skies, variable terrain, we’re close to the coast, plus we’ve got the second largest manufacturing capability in the region and a good international airport. We can also offer great lifestyle benefits for people with the ocean and the mountains. We’re also New Zealand’s only gateway to Antarctica so we have hundreds of researchers that go through the city every year. I think there is real potential to set Christchurch up as a real global R&D hub for space and advanced aviation work.”

Mark knows a thing or two about the global space industry, aside from his work with Aerospace Christchurch he was a seed investor of Rocket Lab and served as the company’s Co-director from 2007 to 2011, he’s worked with the Government to develop a space strategy for New Zealand and is also the founder of Kea Aerospace, a company which is building a solar power aircraft that flies in the stratosphere and captures high resolution aerial imagery for applications such as environmental monitoring, precision agriculture, disaster management and maritime awareness.

Mark sees huge opportunities for the future of New Zealand’s aerospace sector and wants to attract more companies from around the world to set up in Aotearoa. 

“We have a lot of world leading projects going on in Christchurch right now, we need to sell the concept better so that people fully understand the scope of the industry, the speed at which we can get things done and the opportunities that presents. When we started Rocket Lab, people thought we were a bit crazy starting a rocket company in New Zealand and going up against the likes of America, China and Russia. But we can do things in a different way here, we’ve got a lot of innovation and ingenuity and we just seem to be able to get things going quickly and cost effectively.”

One offshore Kiwi who was impressed by the opportunities Christchurch offers was Jenny Blackburn. Jenny did a degree in Mechanical Engineering in the US, before completing a masters in Turbo Machinery in Sweden and Greece she then moved to Germany and did some travelling around the UK before deciding it was time to return home. She applied for a role as a mechanical engineer in the propulsion team at Dawn Aerospace, a company which provides in-space propulsion technology for satellites, and is also flight-testing a spaceplane technology demonstrator, the Dawn Mk-II Aurora

“As an offshore Kiwi, I never knew there was an aerospace industry in Christchurch until I got the job here, but even just at Dawn there are so many opportunities. I’m a mechanical engineer, we have structural engineers, electrical engineers, mechatronics engineers, we have roles in aviation etc. The thing with start up companies is that you have to know a little bit of everything. We are designing something that’s never been designed before so there are lots of little things that crop up all the time and you need to be able to apply problem solving skills in lots of different ways, it’s one of the things I love most about the job – all the different ways you can really be part of something so new and exciting.”

Jenny says for those who are new to Christchurch or to New Zealand’s space sector there are plenty of opportunities to connect with other passionate people, something which makes a big difference to returning Kiwi like herself. 

“Aerospace Christchurch holds meetups regularly, Canterbury university has rocket clubs and last year we launched Women in Space, a network for women working in the aerospace industry. We also have mentorship programmes working with people who want to get involved in the sector, so there are so many opportunities to get involved and bounce ideas off people and grow your networks. 

Christchurch’s aerospace sector is vast and encompasses aviation, space flight, rocketry, manufacturing, engineering, geospatial mapping, data analytics, education, training and services. The scale of growth in the sector has been incredible and Emily has some parting words for any offshore Kiwi wanting to return home and be involved in global, cutting edge projects

“While there has been a huge amount of work to build the aerospace talent pipeline in Christchurch we still need more people. There is a real need to bring more experience back home. A lot of these companies have deep aerospace knowledge, but there is a real opportunity to combine that with business expertise. For example bringing in people who understand how to scale into different markets, how to scale manufacturing processes, or how to get better product iterations going. There are enormous opportunities to bring in people with that global viewpoint, who can help support the narrative as these companies grow. We are also at the stage where we’ve got the training capability to bring in people who don’t necessarily have an aerospace background and train them into new roles, which is pretty cool. The opportunities are endless.”

This content was created in partnership with ChristchurchNZ. To discover more about Christchurch’s aerospace industry here

What was it that originally appealed to you about this new role? 
I spent nearly 40 years working as an MP, a Cabinet Minister with portfolios including Foreign
Affairs, Trade and Defence and most recently as Mayor of Auckland. In that time I gained a
wide range of skills and experience, and I saw this role as a one where I would get the
privilege and opportunity to put all of that to good use, at an important time in the UK-NZ
relationship.
     Our relationship with the UK is embedded in our history, our institutions, our values and our
people-to-people relationships, but is contemporary and dynamic. We have a new trade deal
which will enter into force this year, a new research, science, and innovation arrangement
which will support UK and New Zealand scientists to collaborate on solving some of the
biggest challenges the world faces, and a soon-to-be-enhanced Working Holiday Visa
scheme, which will enable even more young New Zealanders and Brits to experience each
other’s’ countries.

What are the biggest challenges you are facing as you take on this role? 
One of the biggest challenges in the role at this time is to ensure we make the most of the
opportunities offered by the UK reorienting its role in the world. This means expanding our
trade with the UK, the world’s sixth biggest economy and a fellow voice in favour of free and
sustainable trade. It means continuing to support the UK as if focuses more on our region as
part of its Indo-Pacific tilt. It means maximizing our cooperation in science, technology and
climate change as we strive to respond to global warming and achieve a sustainable
environment. And it means working alongside the UK in support of the multilateral rules
based system at the many global challenges that we face.

What value do you hope to add during your time in United Kingdom?
Working with a very good NZ Inc team in London and the many talented New Zealanders
living and working here, my goal is to be an effective advocate for New Zealand’s interests, to
build as strong as possible a relationship to the benefit of both countries and to learn from
the innovative things the UK is doing which may have relevance to New Zealand.

Why is New Zealand’s relationship with United Kingdom so important?
The importance of the relationship with the UK is in part our shared history, our strong
people-to-people relationships and the closeness of our two countries in terms of our
commitment to democracy, to freedom and to upholding human rights and the rule of law
domestically and internationally. The UK brings a huge resource base in terms of its
economy, population size and international influence to our joint pursuit of these principles.
While New Zealand is proud of having an independent foreign policy where we form and
hold our own views, it is nevertheless important that we work with likeminded countries
such as the UK to tackle international problems whether in reducing trade barriers,
advancing climate change action or opposing aggression.

What value can strengthening ties between NZ and United Kingdom bring to Kiwis? 
With the UK being the world’s sixth largest economy, one of the world’s largest aid donors
and contributors to climate action, a member of the P5 with significant international
influence, there are real benefits to us working strongly and collaboratively with it.

What opportunities are there for growing Kiwi business in your market? 
The UK represents a market of almost 70 million people with a large GDP and high per capita
income. In key areas like wine, honey and onions, it is a critical market for some exporters. In
other export areas like dairy products and meat, reductions in tariffs and other barriers
provide new opportunities. Technology, niche manufacturing, services and investment and
tourism are all potential growth areas. New Zealand will need to leverage its reputation for
high standards and environmental sustainability to gain competitive advantage. The new FTA
opens the door for our exporters and now with the support of groups like Kea and NZTE our
exporters have the opportunity to take advantage of it.

Media Release

3rd February 2023

Global CEO Toni Truslove says the new structure, which will see Mitchell based in New Zealand and Linda largely operating offshore, as a great step to ensure Kea remains a valuable global organisation supporting both the offshore Kiwi community and Kiwi export businesses and individuals to thrive globally.

“I would like to offer our very special thanks to outgoing Chairperson Phil Veal for his 10 years of service and dedication to Kea, and for his continued ongoing support of the organisation. I would also like to thank outgoing Board members Craig Donaldson, Young Ly and Peter Gillingwater. The work of our current board, and the vision they have shared for the future of Kea, has been instrumental in building the Kea of today and ensuring the organisation has a strong future.”

New Co-Chairs Mitchell Pham and Linda Jenkinson are both Kea World Class New Zealanders and long time supporters of Kea. They both have a strong history of mentoring and supporting Kiwi businesses and fostering global relationships.   

Mitchell was recently awarded an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s first-ever New Year’s Honours list, recognised for his services to the technology sector and New Zealand-Asia relations. He is the Co-founder and Director of CodeHQ and Kiwi Connection Tech Hub. He has chaired NZTech, FinTechNZ, Digital Council for Aotearoa New Zealand, and currently co-chairs the ASEAN Business Alliance and chairs the NZ Asia Institute. Mitchell says accepting the Kea Co-Chair position gives him an opportunity to work more on the vehicle which connects offshore Kiwi back to New Zealand for the future of the country.

“It’s not just about connecting and serving the thousands of Kiwi who are offshore today but the many more thousands who are yet to leave our shores to gain global knowledge, skills, experience and networks. I see taking on this role as a real opportunity to grow the capacity, capability and maturity of Kea so that it will continue to benefit both our onshore and offshore communities well into the future”.

Linda Jenkinson has 30 years of executive management, strategic consulting and governance experience. She was the Co-founder and CEO of two technology-enabled companies and is the first women CEO/Co-founder to take her company public on the NASDAQ. Previously Linda was a Partner at A.T. Kearney. She is active in governance and is currently Chair of Medadvisor Pty Ltd, Jaxsta, Guild Trustee Services and Gold Cross Products & Services. In New Zealand she was Chair of Unicef NZ and has previously served on the Board of Air New Zealand. She is currently a director of Harbour Asset Management. Linda runs the global mentoring program Levelup enabling Kiwi companies to build $100 mil businesses and has won numerous awards including E&Y Master Entrepreneur of the Year and Westpac NZ Women of Influence Business/Commercial. Based in San Francisco, Linda says being a global Kiwi allows her to bring a unique perspective to the Co-Chair role. 

“I see the importance of Kea and the work the organisation is doing on multiple levels. I see the Co-Chair position as an opportunity to form a bridge between Kiwi offshore and Kiwi in New Zealand. I feel Kea’s work is more important now than ever with the state of disruption and change in the world. Our people are such a huge resource and Kea is so important to maintaining the identity for Kiwi offshore.”

Kea looks forward to the benefits this new governance structure will bring and to continuing to support our offshore Kiwi community and Kiwi export businesses for the good of all New Zealand. 

ENDS

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For more information or for media enquiries please contact Kellie Addison, Kea Global Partnerships and Communications Director: 021897548 [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 see https://www.keanewzealand.com/ 

North America

Good news for Kiwi Cleantech exporters this month with the Biden Administration’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), promoting green industrialisation in the US. Although navigating domestic content requirements will be challenging, New Zealand exporters can now strategically position themselves to leverage these opportunities as investments in clean energy projects surge. This will create closer economic ties with the US while contributing towards a greener and more sustainable future for both nations. 

Kiwi talent will be on show in a few weeks when South by Southwest (SXSW) takes centre stage in Texas. The conference and festival event is one of the largest in the world spotlighting the music, film, and interactive media industry, annually drawing huge crowds to Austin. For New Zealand companies, SXSW is a gateway to the US market offering countless opportunities to showcase businesses and forge connections. 

Representing New Zealand at SXSW this year are luminaries like Kea World Class New Zealander and Co-Chair Linda Jenkinson, alongside tech pioneers Sally Hodges, Anton Mitchell, and Jessica Manins, who will delve into the challenges and unique prospects of the Kiwi tech scene. Kea WCNZer Sir Richard Taylor, founder of WETA and an Academy Award winner, will also join a panel of futurists exploring cutting-edge concepts. New Zealand’s film industry will also shine with productions like Lucy Lawless’ “Never Look Away” and Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu and Taika Waititi’s “We Were Dangerous” premiering at the event. Additionally, a lineup of New Zealand musicians, including ASHY, Swallow the Rat and Jess Cornelius, among others, grace the SXSW stage, highlighting Kiwi musical talent.

While Kiwi tech talent may be on show at SXSW, businesses looking for investment or acquisition will need to be across new US tax laws which may make these options less appealing for American investors. A tax change recently passed in the US now requires the cost of people working in research and development in places like New Zealand to be capitalised and depreciated over a 15-year period. This could affect Kiwi entrepreneurs who are looking to raise capital offshore as the added tax burden could make these companies less attractive to invest in or acquire. It could also limit the likelihood of US tech companies establishing engineering centres in New Zealand which would reduce opportunities for talent transfer and innovation.

Gary Fortune, Kea North America Regional Director

UK and Europe

This month, the NZ Winegrowers hosted their Annual Trade Tastings in London and Dublin, emphasising the significant contribution of New Zealand wine to the UK and Irish markets. These tastings provide opportunities for UK trade professionals to discover new wines, vintages, meet winemakers, and learn about the latest trends in New Zealand wine. It was encouraging to see strong support from the local New Zealand Food & Beverage community and a renewed enthusiasm for homegrown wines.

Recent data shows the UK market enjoys a substantial contribution of $1 billion from New Zealand wine sales in the UK alone, particularly in the still wine category, offering significant opportunities for growth and development within the industry. New Zealand wine still commands a premium of 25% above the category average, and in 2023, sales of New Zealand still wine surged by 7.7%, outpacing the overall growth rate of the still wine category in the UK, which stood at +2.2%. This robust performance underscores the strong demand and increasing popularity of New Zealand wines among UK consumers.

Also, this month upcoming changes to hospitality legislation are set to impact service charge distribution, aiming to ensure fair compensation for hospitality staff. The new law, effective from 1 July 2024, mandates that all tips and service charges must go directly to employees, providing greater financial security for workers in the industry. While tipping and service charges are commonplace in the UK, varying from 5% to 15% of the total bill, the legislation seeks to standardise practices and ensure equitable treatment of hospitality staff.

Several New Zealand focused events have been held in the UK this month. Notably Westminster Abbey hosted a special evensong in collaboration with the NZ High Commission to mark Waitangi Day and The NZ Society also held the Waitangi Day Church Service and The Waitangi Day Charity Ball, where the UK New Zealander of the Year Award winner Julia Maile, was announced. Julia is a remarkable individual who founded the charity MerryGoRound which sees children’s clothing passed from one family to another, creating a cycle of care and generosity. Julia’s story serves as a powerful reminder of the transformative power of compassion and action, and Kea congratulates her on being recognised for her work.

Sara Fogarty, Kea UK/Europe Regional Director

China

The second weekend in February marks the beginning of the Year of the Dragon in China. This year, the country celebrated with an eight day extended holiday. The four weeks of the Chinese New Year period is not only a time for those in China to reunite with family, it also provides a huge boost to the “holiday economy” and during this time many New Zealand businesses exporting to China will see a boost in sales. One Chinese shopping platform, JD.com, who took part in a special Chinese New Year Gala broadcast successfully sold 2,000 sets of 100% New Zealand imported wool quilts, worth over RMB 2 million (NZD456,706), over the four hour nationwide live TV show which is hosted on Chinese New Year’s eve. This show commanded an average of 30.3% of viewers across China on this date. 

Outbound travel has once again become the favourite way to enjoy the holiday time. Anti-seasonal destinations represented by New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa remain the top three popular destinations. One top travel agent under the Alibaba Group, saw its New Zealand Chinese New Year travel packages sell out five weeks before the holiday began. 

This month, China has also been in the headlines when it comes to high-tech development. One of Beijing’s state owned hospitals is using a ‘brain-computer interface”, developed by the hospital team, with implantable epidural electrodes which enabled a quadriplegic patient to realise brain-controlled functions such as drinking water on his own, with a grip accuracy rate of more than 90%. China has long been known for its tech developments and Kea receives a number of project requests for support in this sector. It will be interesting to see how businesses from both counties continue to collaborate as the year moves on. 

Rebecca Bao, China Regional Director

New Zealand

The Government is warning fiscal forecasts in the May budget are unlikely to look better than the half-year update delivered in December. Finance Minister Nicola Willis attended the 2024 New Zealand Economics Forum at Waikato University this month, and said she was not relying on any economic improvement when preparing her first budget. She warned higher interest rates were having an effect on employment which would have a “profound human impact” and “make a dent in the Government’s books”. Some economists feel the Reserve Bank could raise the Official Cash Rate above its current 5.50% level, which would have a negative impact on the Crown accounts.

New Zealand’s Sharemarket has also suffered a stumble this month with Fletcher Building announcing a loss after tax of $120 million in the first half of the 2024 financial year, and its chief executive, Ross Taylor, resigned along with Board Chair Bruce Hassell. While trading resumed later in the day the share price had dropped significantly with shares changing hands for $3.49, down from $4.16. John Tookley, a construction expert at AUT, says to have Fletcher struggling isn’t healthy for New Zealand and is indicative of wider problems associated with the building industry as a whole. 

Finally, this month New Zealand marked the one year anniversary of Cyclone Gabrielle, the storm which caused havoc to eastern regions of New Zealand, particularly Hawke’s Bay and Gisborne. Commemorations were held across the regions, as businesses and locals reflected on the work that has taken place over the last 12 months. The storm caused particular damage to New Zealand’s wine industry with many vineyards, particularly in the Esk Valley region, completely wiped out. 

Kellie Addison, Global Director Stakeholder Affairs