Businesses going global

What is your role in the Paralympics?

I am the Chef De Mission for the Paralympics Team to Paris this year, which is a very special opportunity. This is my fifth Paralympics but the first time as the Chef De Mission – all the other times I’ve been the team leader with the athletics team. It’s a very special moment and I feel privileged and honoured to be undertaking this role.

How many teams and athletes are competing ?

We anticipate we will have a team of around 30 athletes over around ten sports. Already from those who have been named, there is a diverse amount of sports that we haven’t had for quite some time.

What are your main goals and priorities for the team?

I’m totally and utterly performance and athlete focused. So, as far as I am concerned it’s about providing a safe environment where the athletes can just get on and do what they need to do to perform their best. I also want to ensure a good culture around the team that allows them to blossom and focus on the task at hand.

How do you feel the Paralympics connects Kiwis all around the globe?

The New Zealand Paralympic Team strives to challenge the perceptions around disability through showcasing high performance Para athletes and basically proving that anything is possible. Para sport has come a long way in the last 20 years. It is truly high performance now through the investment of the government and corporate, and through integration and high performance coaching. The standard has increased so much, to the extent that we actually do have some Paralympians who are competing as well as able bodied athletes now.

It’s an avenue of bringing people together, our slogan of the Paralympic Team is ‘one team, one spirit’ and has been created to remind New Zealanders of our pride and desire to succeed on the world stage. And as one spirit, we’re taking on the world. We’ve proven to do that in the past and we certainly hope to do that again in Paris.

What do you believe sets Kiwi Para athletes apart on the international stage?

I think being from the bottom of the world and having the number eight wire approach and a ‘can do’ attitude is what makes us significant in New Zealand across every environment. We’re used to training in the rain and cold weather, we’re used to training by ourselves, competing by ourselves, and just making do, I think when these athletes then get onto the world stage there’s an attitude that they can do anything, because they are used to doing this on a daily basis. They are very innovative and resilient – they just get on with it. 

Looking beyond Paris, what legacy do you hope the New Zealand Paralympic Team will leave, both in terms of Para athletic achievement and broader societal impact?

From a societal point of view, it’s that exposure that you can do anything if you put your mind to it. Showcasing that nothing comes easy, it’s a lot of hard work, but if you put your mind to it, you can achieve your goals and dreams.

I also think it’s about making Kiwis feel proud. We’re extremely honoured to wear the silver fern. So through our performance, making those Kiwis sitting at home watching and supporting feel proud and having a tear in their eye when things go well, and almost feeling like they are the ones running the race or swimming in the pool with these athletes.

The legacy is also about continuing to grow these role models, so they become household names like the Richie McCaws and Lisa Carringtons – that these Para athletes are just as much household names and they’re recognised and supported as much as their able-bodied counterparts.

How can our Kiwi community get involved?

Through watching the broadcast on TVNZ, social media and sending good luck messages, and supporting our partners that actually help us to get here. I think the biggest thing is at Games time and receiving those messages of ‘best of luck’ or ‘well done’. You don’t know how much that means to athletes when they are on the other side of the world and they’re missing their home and loved ones. They are trying to do their best and knowing that the country is backing them means a heck of a lot. So, I challenge everyone out there to send a message via social media or through our website and voice how proud they are of our Para athletes. 
Learn more about the 2024 New Zealand Paralympic Team and how you can support them here: https://paralympics.org.nz/.

When Sam Dixon left New Zealand for London, he initially intended to be away for no more than two years, but ended up staying and working in the British financial capital for more than 15. Armed with a BComm, Sam initially worked as an investment banker at  JPMorgan in London where he realised his Kiwi roots and work ethos were highly valued. 

“Both JPMorgan and subsequently HSBC really liked hiring New Zealanders because they valued our ability to just roll our sleeves up and get stuff done. I was promoted to run large teams at both firms as they were filled with people from all over Europe and Asia with various  opinions on religion and politics. As a Kiwi all I cared about was getting business done and planning my next long weekend away to support the All Blacks.”

In 2003 Sam married Jo-Anne, a fellow Kiwi he met in an Irish bar in Leicester Square and the couple went on to have two sons, both born in London. Their international journey continued when Sam joined HSBC and was asked to move to Hong Kong to lead their Hedge Fund team across Asia. 

“When I was first offered the role I promised Jo-Anne we would spend two years in Hong Kong, but we ended up staying for eleven. HSBC, at that time, was the largest bank in Hong Kong and it was exciting visiting all the major cities in Asia to assist foreign firms go into and out of China. Jo-Anne gave up her career as a brand consultant when we left London and went on to launch what became Asia’s best-selling Panama hat brand. Hong Kong is a wonderful place to have young children and there’s a great expat community, so we really enjoyed our time there.”

The family always planned to return to New Zealand, and when it came time for their eldest son to start secondary school, they decided to enrol him as a boarder at Sam’s alma mater in Auckland.  

By the time their second son, Charlie, was ready to start High school the pandemic had hit and Jo-Anne moved back to Auckland to be with the boys, leaving Sam in Hong Kong and then Sydney to finish up his role with HSBC. 

“I did nine weeks of quarantine in 2022 as I went back and forth between Auckland, Sydney and Hong Kong. The Hong Kong government stipulated  three weeks’ quarantine in the tiny Hong Kong hotel rooms. A friend tried to drop me off a spin cycle and rowing machine so I could stay active but neither would fit in the tiny Hong Kong hotel room.”

Finally, in early 2023, Sam concluded his tenure with HSBC and returned to New Zealand to reunite permanently with his family.

“I was super excited coming back to New Zealand after more than 20 years offshore, but integrating into professional life after such a long absence was challenging. I was naturally not an easy fit for large Kiwi financial institutions as they found it difficult to offer senior roles to someone of my age with no direct New Zealand deal experience, I don’t hold any grudges however, and it is understandable that local institutions preferred younger candidates who were more attuned to the domestic landscape.”

On a personal level, Sam’s reintegration into Kiwi society was a lot more satisfying. He cherishes regular fishing/skiing trips with old school friends as well as weekend walks around Auckland with his labrador. He has also landed a great role, one which allows him to bring all his global know-how to the table. 

“I have set up a fund distribution business, connecting Kiwi and offshore investors to asset managers and investment opportunities in New Zealand. I am really enjoying the challenge of applying international investment discipline and introducing fantastic Kiwi fund managers to those offshore investors. Translating my international experience into local success has required a strategic approach. Everyone has been keen to talk over a flat white but you need to be prepared to offer differentiated solutions and to ask for what you want and not just rely on the wonderful friendly Kiwi ethos.”

For other Kiwis contemplating a return home, both Jo-Anne and Sam say their advice is to start preparing for the reintegration sooner rather than later. 

“Reach out while you’re still overseas, use networks like LinkedIn and Kea effectively, and don’t be afraid to cold call or email friends of friends.”

Sam’s experience underscores a broader narrative about the challenges and rewards of returning home after an extended period abroad. However, despite the hurdles, he remains optimistic about his return and values the chance to contribute to New Zealand’s growth and development.

“My experiences offshore have enriched my perspective, and that of my family. I’m very positive about New Zealand’s future and am keen to give back and support.  I think we are  in relatively good shape compared to other parts of the world.  My friends say I am naïve – but I’ve experienced countries with much worse social, environmental and political standards. Mind you, that doesn’t stop me complaining to Wayne Brown about road cones and yelling at the TV when I disagree about petty micro political issues!. But, overall I think people should realise how lucky we are to live here and I’m bloody excited about showcasing the local talent and introducing more investors and funds in to this great country.”

From the moment Shelley’s Texan husband Rod first took her to Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula she felt a connection with the town of Tulum. 

“Rod had spent a lot of time in Mexico growing up, and when our son was almost two, we travelled as a family to the Yucatán Peninsula. It was during this visit that I fell in love with the town of Tulum. The mix of the Mayan ruins, jungle, and sandy beaches deeply resonated with me, and I was struck by the similarities between the Mayan and Māori cultures.”

Little did Shelley realise, this trip would be the beginning of her entrepreneurial journey which would lead to her launching her brand Tulum 2U, a sustainable boho chic brand which offers a range of high-end eco-friendly beach bags, totes, and clutches, unique handmade coverups, exotic body/room/linen sprays, and luxury throws/towels all of which capture the essence of Tulum. 

“Creating these designs was a journey filled with inspiration. Much like writing a song, I was inspired by musicians which helped me craft my songwriting and Tulum 2U was no different in that I was inspired and influenced and my designs were about channelling the essence of the Māori and Mayan cultures in a way that was genuine, respectful, and beautiful. It’s cool to see how the two cultures, despite being so far apart, share common threads in their stories and connection to the land. It showed me how diverse and yet similar human societies can be.”

Not only beautiful, the bags and totes which form the base of Shelley’s brand are also all made from 100% recycled material, giving new life to materials which would otherwise end up in landfills or oceans.

“Right from the word go, the quality of the recycled plastic and the weaving of each product has been extremely important to me. All our plastic is sourced from hospitals and local businesses in Mexico that would otherwise end up in landfills or the ocean. The process commences with the sourcing of medical-grade plastic, which is then skillfully woven by artisans using traditional techniques cultivated and refined over generations.”

“I have experienced first-hand the impact plastic has after it winds up in the ocean. Every May the turtles migrate to Akumal on the peninsula to lay their eggs. I have witnessed the beautiful moment when the eggs hatch and the baby turtles struggle to find their way to the water’s edge. It’s heartbreaking that some of these turtles won’t make it simply because they will become entangled with plastic in the ocean. I feel very blessed to be in a position with my business to make a difference to our planet, even if it is just one stylish bag at a time!”

Building a business hasn’t always been easy and Shelley says one of the biggest challenges has been ensuring she has a healthy work life balance. 

“I was a woman heading into her fifth decade starting a business from scratch with zero experience in the manufacturing or retail worlds. I was completely out of my depth, and on top of that I had an eight year old son. It’s easy for the business to take precedence if you’re not careful. What has truly been a godsend is building a network of mentors and tapping into the minds of fellow entrepreneurs. Women especially have been incredibly generous with their time and expertise, which has been crucial to the continued growth of my business.”

Despite the challenges Shelley says she’s proud of her journey especially when she reflects on how far the business has come. Having established a foothold in the US market, she’s now looking to introduce Tulum 2U’s bags into stores in NZ and Australia and wants to continue to unite people through sustainable fashion. 

“My intention when I launched the brand was to honour where I came from and where I had landed. Surprisingly I have been approached by strangers from places like Africa, India, and Asia, admiring the designs and likening them to something they used to make when they were younger.  I always feel humbled by their enthusiasm and how they love to share their story with me.”

You can check out Tulum 2U’s full range here For a limited time Kea members can receive free shipping by using the code KEA at checkout. 

Born and raised in Auckland, Toby’s love of cooking began during childhood, where he would eagerly lick the mixing bowl or spoon after his mother had finished baking. He knew he wanted to travel, and after finishing high school, decided to turn his culinary curiosity into a career by enrolling in AUT’s culinary program. 

“I wasn’t really considering cooking as a career at first, but once I started training, I realised how much I loved it. The camaraderie of the kitchen and the constant opportunity for personal growth really made me realise this was the path for me.”

Upon graduating, Toby landed his first job at Hammerheads in Auckland, a restaurant that is no longer in operation. Under the mentorship of Chef Michael Van De Elzen, Toby began to hone his skills.

“It was a great start, and I quickly realised that I thrived in environments where I could push my limits. Some of my early jobs were intense, but they taught me a lot about myself and my career.”

Toby’s desire to see the world and refine his culinary skills led him to the UK, where he found a position at The Greenhouse in London, a Michelin star restaurant serving high end Modern French cuisine. 

“When I landed in the UK a friend suggested I open the Michelin guide and start approaching restaurants. I ended up at The Greenhouse, working there was amazing, and it was just the beginning of my European adventure.”

From London, Toby’s journey took him to the Mediterranean, working on private yachts. The financial benefits of working on yachts allowed him to continue travelling and eventually led him to Canada, where he worked in Vancouver and Banff. His career path continued to evolve, taking him to Toronto, where he joined the team at a restaurant led by renowned French chef Daniel Boulud.

“Daniel Boulud’s restaurant in Toronto was an incredible opportunity. I worked as a sous chef there, and after almost three years, I was asked to move to New York. It was a dream come true. Years earlier I had dined at Restaurant Daniel, (Chef Boulud’s flagship) as a 23 year old who had just left New Zealand, and I was amazed at the level of hospitality and the quality of food. I knew then that I wanted to work at that level one day. Here I was, some 7 years later doing just that”

Toby spent a year in New York, working with Daniel Boulud and soaking in the vibrant culinary scene. But life took a new turn when he met his partner during a trip to Chicago. After a period of long-distance, the couple relocated to Sydney, Australia, where Toby took on the role of Head Chef at one of Matt Moran’s restaurants. After getting engaged they moved to Dallas, Texas, with the intention of starting a family and pursuing Toby’s dream of opening his own restaurant, both of which came to fruition around the same time. 

“Our daughter was born 9 weeks early right around the time I was trying to open my restaurant, Quarter Acre. It was incredibly stressful—trying to manage construction delays and rising costs while dealing with a newborn in the NICU. But once we opened, it was an incredible achievement.”

Quarter Acre is a testament to Toby’s Kiwi roots, with flax baskets, sheepskins, and oyster shell chandeliers creating a distinct ambiance that pays homage to New Zealand and the vibrant Kiwi food scene. 

“New Zealand has a rich, global food culture that influences our culinary landscape, and I try to bring that same essence to Dallas. It’s new and exciting, and it’s great to see people appreciating global flavours. I have a salmon dish on the menu from Big Glory Bay in Stewart Island, and when people taste it, they often remark on how incredible it is. The quality of New Zealand products is exceptional, and our menu features New Zealand venison, lamb, and even an Australian sea bass (Barramundi) dish, which has been rebranded to appeal to local tastes.”

Alongside Kiwi flavours Toby’s culinary creations also reflect a blend of global influences. His ceviche, for example, incorporates Thai flavours like coconut milk and chilli jam. 

“I love to play with different elements from around the world. The egg salad, for instance, has Vadouvan curry powder—a French-inspired spice mix. I also incorporate Middle Eastern spices in dishes like the lamb sausage roll. It’s a mix of all the places I’ve worked and the flavours I’ve come to love.”

The wine list at Quarter Acre is another nod to Toby’s commitment to promoting New Zealand food and beverage, with more than 50% of the wine selections coming from the Southern Hemisphere, with a significant portion dedicated to New Zealand wines. 

“We want to introduce people to New Zealand wines and show them that they’re not just good—they’re exceptional.”

In addition to Quarter Acre, Toby is keen to continue expanding his culinary influence and envisions future ventures that embrace the relaxed, vibrant dining culture of places like Sydney or Auckland. 

“I want my next restaurant to have that laid-back, pub-like feel where people can come in, have a great meal, and just relax. It’s about creating spaces where people feel at home and enjoy themselves.”

Toby’s advice for newcomers to the culinary world is practical and grounded in his own experiences.

“Have confidence in what you want to do and put in the time to get it. Opening a restaurant is a huge risk, but if you believe in your concept and work hard, it can pay off. I’ve learnt that while being humble is important, you need to tell your own story. People want to know the person behind the restaurant.”

Quarter Acre, named after the iconic Kiwi dream of owning a piece of land, embodies Toby’s aspiration to bring a slice of New Zealand to Dallas. 

“It’s fascinating how, as Kiwis, we bond more when we’re overseas. Here in Dallas, if another New Zealander walks into the restaurant, it’s like an instant connection. I want to extend that welcome and build a network of New Zealanders doing great things here. It’s about sharing that dream and creating something special here.”

Barry Koolen

Barry is originally from the Waikato and was educated at St Johns Collect in Hamilton. These days he is based in London and is the CEO of EMEA: the Europe, Middle East and Africa region, for Crown. He has been part of the Crown team since 1996, holding many leadership and development roles over that time. He has been involved in the company’s ESG strategy and the implementation of technology into the company over the decades. He also supported work on a world leading carbon tracking system for Crown customers.

Barry is on the board of the Te Papa foundation, most recently he helped the foundation raise money for a book on the Maori land wars, which recently was distributed free of charge to every New Zealand school. He is an active part of the New Zealand community in London and has supported many Kiwi individuals and businesses when they have arrived in the UK. Barry is part of the NZ society of London and retains a strong interest in Rugby and the All Blacks. He is also been involved in mentoring programmes for Kiwi as part of his work at Crown.

Michael Grieve

Michael is based in Dubai and is the Chief Brand Officer for global luxury hospitality company Jumeirah Group. During his career Michael has worked with a multitude of leading international brands including BMW Group, adidas, and Nike on brand management for both BMW and MINI, the adidas running and basketball business, and Nike’s Jordan brand. In his previous role as Vice President Brand & Client EMEA at Gucci, Michael led the functions and teams that drive all marketing, communications, and client engagement activities for the Gucci maison across Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Michael is a Beachhead advisor for NZTE Europe/UK, a supporter of several New Zealand charities and has mentored other up and coming Kiwi and shared his own business lessons across events and conferences. He is a passionate New Zealander and not afraid to bring his experiences growing up in New Zealand to the leadership tables that he sits on.

Tenby Powell

Tenby’s career spans the private business sector, government entities, Not-For Profit and the Military. He was educated at the University of Waikato (awarded Distinguished Alumnus in 2010) and Harvard Business School and has held senior management positions in Fletcher Challenge and Skellerup Group. In 1999 he formed his private investment company, Hunter Powell Investments Limited.

Tenby is a former Mayor of Tauranga and the founder of the charity organisation Kiwi K.A.R.E, which helps bring essential aid and evacuation services to the people of Ukraine. In 2011, he founded the New Zealand SME Business Network, a charity which gives small Business Owners a voice through the creation of a Network-of-Influence with a secondary objective to provide support to small business owners by those who have a track record in successfully growing SMEs here & abroad. Tenby has held Directorships of Antarctica New Zealand, Acrow Limited, The Icehouse, The Auckland Resource Helicopter Trust and Angel Link. He represents New Zealand internationally serving as a member of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) and Co-chair of the Digital Innovation Working group.

Rachna Bhasin

Based in Miami Rachna is the Founder of EQ Partners, Sr Advisor Alignment Growth, Co-founder, Board Director for Pacifica Investments,Ryman Hospitality, Shutterstock, PropertyGuru, Audiomack and also an advisor to multiple startups.

Born in India she moved to Wellington as a child. She studied at Victoria University in Wellington before moving to Australia and then Hong Kong. She got her MBA at Harvard and worked for EMI ahead of the launch of the apple ipod, and then went on to forge a career at the forefront of digital music. She worked for a satellite company which created a subscriber based online music model and later acquired Pandora and Soundcloud and was also part of the team who worked on one of the highest event funded startups ever – working with Sir Richard Taylor and Steven Speilberg.

She is also the co-founder of Pacifica Investments, an advisory, consultancy and investment firm focused on identifying and amplifying technologies, brands and entrepreneurs from New Zealand and the Pacific Rim.

From a young age, fashion was in Karen’s blood. Influenced by the strong female role models of her mother and grandmother, she used to spend Sunday’s playing in her mother’s fabric box. 

“My mother and my grandmother always had a very clear point of view around their own aesthetics. They weren’t designers, they weren’t in business in any way, but there was a standard of style and a standard of care towards that style. I came of age in the late ‘80s, and while fashion design wasn’t something that was typically offered to people back then, I knew I wanted a career that was exciting, I never wanted to think, “Oh my god, it’s Monday again.”

That passion and excitement for what she does is something Karen has been weaving into her designs for more than three decades, and it’s not just about constantly creating something totally new, with many of her current designs inspired by her brand’s journey and history. 

“After 35 years we have some amazing archives, and we take a lot of inspiration from those. Often, we’ll look back at a style or an element to a style, like some top-stitching or a little frill, or a collar; when we are designing we always have one eye on the archive.”

Combined with that nod to the brand’s history the other thing that drives the brand is the idea of creating items with purpose. 

“Very few people actually need more clothes so it’s not just about creating racks of garments. I want people to feel like there’s a purpose for that product in their life, but that it’s also going to elevate them, even if it’s an everyday item. Just because you’re walking the dog or putting your kids in the car it doesn’t mean you can’t have some cool sneakers and a great umbrella. You still want to be feeling good and like you’re knocking it out of the park.”

As the brand has evolved so has its focus on sustainability.

“Everything that we make is made to last as a piece of design, but also as a product. Nothing in our design brief is about disposability, the intent is always that it should stay, it should have many, many years in a wardrobe or multiple wardrobes and the design and the quality allows that. Our organic cotton designs are produced by Fair Trade Certified partners and any offcuts go back into thread, we don’t put them in landfill, we aim for zero cotton waste. We choose recycled materials whenever possible and for our denim we partner with Outland Denim who produce denim with less water and who support employment in vulnerable communities.”

Karen Walker doesn’t have huge factories, the brand works with smaller factories and also with friends of the brand on collaborations which are often handmade and hyper-local.

“We have just done some work with Rise Beyond the Reef, a non-profit which empowers rural indigenous women and their families in remote Fijian communities. We have been working for a few years with a family-run factory just out of Portugal that makes this beautiful shirting fabric that’s composed of organic cotton and fibre made from the cuttings of industrial rose bushes grown in Italy. The shirts smell of roses and it’s unbelievable, it feels like heaven when it’s on. We are constantly digging into what factories and partners are available to us. What is their area of expertise? How do we bring that into part of the design process?”

After 35 years on the global stage, Karen is a walking fountain of business knowledge, she’s had her fair share of setbacks and learnt a lot along the way. She says her biggest advice to other Kiwi entrepreneurs is to evolve by constantly questioning the status quo and embrace change as the only constant. 

“Look for change. Hold everything up to the light and examine it from all angles and don’t expect anything to stay the same. Run towards change, don’t grip and hold against it. Because it’s going to happen whether you like it or not so you might as well be looking it in the eye. I think the thing a lot of people miss is that change is a good thing, not something to be resisted, but rather something to seek out.”

“None of the ground on which we’re standing is the same as it was five minutes ago, let alone when I started this business 35 years ago. So the very structure, the very land upon which we’re standing is completely different. Nothing is the same except maybe just good design is still good design.”

Karen Walker says she’s here to stay at least for the foreseeable future and she’s got her eye on a number of exciting projects and several new collaborations.

“We’ve always got new projects going on the go. Everyday we have to step out there and do a dance and delight our audience and excite them, give them a reason to come to us. I remember my grandmother saying to me once when I was 18, ‘What are the colours for the season?’ I’m like, I don’t know, is that how people think? The skill of the designer is to be able to project 24 months forward and get into the customer’s head and go, I think this is what you’re going to want 18 months or 24 months from now.”

With a focus on the future, and an archive of inspiration Karen says the thing she is most proud of is simple.

“I’ve had a successful business for 35 years and I’ve built a brand and community around us – and not many people get to say that.”