Businesses going global

• CASE STUDY – MEET THE KIWI KEEPING SCOTTISH TRADITION ALIVE
• INSIGHTS FROM OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY
• THIS MONTH IN NUMBERS
• GROWTH THROUGH KEA CONNECT
• NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
• TRENDING AT KEA
• UPCOMING EVENTS
• HOW KEA CAN HELP

Meet the Kiwi keeping Scottish tradition Alive

Michael Braithwaite is tasked with breathing new life into an event steeped in history and tradition. He’s the Creative Directory of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an event which has been running since 1950, involves a cast and crew of around 1500 and is the jewel in Edinburgh’s events crown. Kea caught up with the former Dunedin musician to find out how he’s ensuring the future success of the event by bringing together the old and the new, and adding a uniquely Kiwi twist. Read more

North America

The impending recession and the Super Bowl are dominating headlines in the US right now, but there is also a big push to get workers back in the office. Our North America Regional Director Gary Fortune, looks at how the 2023 business year is shaping up and what those entering the market need to know. READ MORE

UK and Europe

With the end of the year approaching there is still uncertainty across markets in the UK and with a cost of living crisis, the continued conflict in Ukraine and strikes across the UK all causing comThe focus for the UK and Europe this year will be Free Trade Agreements and amendments to the Youth Mobility Scheme. Our UK/Europe Regional Director, Sara Fogarty looks at the timings of these events and outlines several new key appointments happening in the NZ Inc community. READ MORE

China

After abandoning its ‘Zero Covid’ policy, China is open for business. Limitations for international travel are gone and airports are returning to daily flight volumes. Our China Regional Director Rebecca Bao has the latest information for those looking to travel into market to explore opportunities. READ MORE

New Zealand

This month saw the resignation of Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. The resignation triggers a caucus vote to elect a new Party Leader on 22 January. The date for this years General Election was also announced. Global Director Government and Industry Saya Wahrlich has all the details including dates for advanced voting. READ MORE

BUSINESSES ASSISTED MADE IN MARKET THIS MONTH**

SECTORS KEA CONNECT SUPPORTED THIS MONTH

*Year to date reflects financial year commencing 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2023
**Some businesses were provided with connections in more than one market

Kiwi pork company takes steps towards export

Woody’s Free Range (WFR) produces free range pork in New Zealand. They supply large cuts and charcuterie to top restaurants, salami and sausage meat to high-end pizzarias and bacon to ethical cafes across the country. WFR is about to make the move into a new factory and with that, they are planning to start their export journey. Through Kea Connect, WFR was able to connect with a restaurant and bar owner in Tokyo, meat import/export experts in San Francisco and Hong Kong respectively and a Managing Director of a business consulting and sales representative company in Australia.

Kiwi architecture firm seeks help in Vietnam

Plus Architecture is a commercial practice offering services like master planning, architecture, interior design and visualisation across most market sectors. They have offices across Australia and New Zealand with over 200 staff across the group. Plus Architecture came to Kea seeking advice for their office setup in Vietnam.

Kea Connect was able to connect them with a Founding Managing Partner of an international law firm, the CEO of Asset Management from an investment company and the CEO and Chairman of a Big Four accounting firm in Vietnam to help with their expansion goals.

Deel Simplifies Global HR With New Full-stack Platform

Deel has announced the launch of Deel HR, US Payroll, and Deel Engage, making it possible, for the first time, to hire, manage, and pay global teams compliantly on one platform. This news comes as Deel hits $295 million ARR at a $12 billion valuation – up from just $57 million ARR a year ago. READ MORE

Flying the Fern

Hear from 24 businesses using their ‘Kiwi-ness’ to break into offshore markets. New Zealand Story Group, recently launched a podcast featuring the tales of successful Kiwi businesses that have achieved international sales success, with a focus on storytelling that embraces country of origin and provenance values. Business profiles include Ecostore, Ārepa, Book Me Bob, Hybrid Bikes, FarmIQ and Trust Codes. LISTEN NOW

From Copenhagen to Christchurch

For many returners, deciding which area of New Zealand to resettle in can be a big decision. This month we share the journey of Ross Milne, who moved back to Ōtautahi Christchurch to work for an innovative Kiwi start up. Find out what drew him home and the unexpected things he’s learnt along the way. READ MORE

Voices of the Kea community

Each month we talk to Kiwi all over the world and ask them a series of questions about the country they live in, their favourite places to visit and what they miss most about New Zealand. Plus we find out what they think the big topics for 2023 will be. This month we meet Jack Hau from China, Gabbie Tutheridge from New York, Jo Fletcher Manawa from London and Ben Cohen from Israel. READ MORE

New Year Honours for World Class New Zealanders

We would like to offer huge congratulations to two of our community members who were named in the 2023 King’s New Year Honours List. Dame Miranda Harcourt and Mitchell Pham ONZM are passionate and involved members of our World Class community and have given huge amounts of time and support back to their different industries. We caught up with Mitchell to discuss what this honour means to him. READ MORE

Talent for the taking – We invite all our partners to join Kea for our ‘Talent for the taking’ event in Auckland’s CBD on Feb 23rd. Hear from our panel of experts plus have the opportunity to ask questions and build your professional networks in this informative and inspiring evening. This event is perfect for businesses struggling to fill talent gaps or who are interested in setting up remote workers but not sure where to start. Please share this event with your networks. SIGN UP

Kea Glasgow Meetup If you are aware of any Kiwi in the Glasgow area please invite them to join us for an evening of networking on Tuesday 21 February from 6 – 8pm at the Theatre Royal Glasgow. Kea’s Global Director, Government & Industry, Saya Wahrlich, will be on hand to talk about Kea and discuss how the network operates to support its members across the world, she will be joined by World Class New Zealander, Alex Reedijk, General Director for Scottish Opera. SIGN UP

China

Our largest trading partner, China, continues to be an attractive market for New Zealand exporters this year and we are already seeing some key trends begin to emerge. New Zealand businesses should keep a close eye on these as they look at their China market strategy for 2022.

1. E-commerce
The pandemic has dramatically changed the way consumers interact with brands and make purchases. Unsurprisingly, e-commerce continues to boom: as of June 2021, the number of online shopping users in China reached 812 million, accounting for 80.3% of total internet users. 2022 will be another year of innovation for China’s e-commerce market and there are some key features to focus on this year.

a). Livestream sales continue to grow but brands are seeking greater autonomy. Livestreaming continues to gain popularity as a way to connect with consumers, but more brands are shifting away from using expensive KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) to running promotions in-house. This means Kiwi brands don’t necessarily need to pay an arm and a leg to KOLs any longer. Instead they can better tell their unique stories by investing more in their own marketing/livestreaming capabilities. 

b). WeChat, especially WeChat mini-programs continue to be essential in brands’ marketing strategies. 

While very few Chinese consumers engage with brands via websites, around 450 million Chinese consumers were active on WeChat mini-programs every day last year, an increase of 50 million compared to 2020. Rather than developing their own apps and wasting energy building fancy Chinese websites, New Zealand companies are likely much better off utilising the WeChat eco-system. 

c). Short video platforms are taking a large share of the e-commerce market.

The pandemic has led to a surge in the number of active users of short video platforms. New Zealand brands should be aware, in 2022 short video platforms such as Douyin and Kuaishou are likely to capture a larger share of the e-commerce market as they now actively support users to sell and market products through their apps. 

2. The rise of Gen Z as well as millennial middle-class families.

Gen Z is considered to be China’s rising consumption powerhouse. Unlike consumers of previous generations that placed emphasis on brand name or product practicality, these post-95 consumers often pay a premium for highly emotive products. For Kiwi companies better serving this group could be as simple as having a really cute brand mascot. 

Millennial middle-class families are often willing to spend much more on products that they view as healthy, safe, high-quality or high-tech. The point for many Kiwi firms focused on this age group is not to try compete on price, but on both provenance story and product quality. 

3. Silver economy

Products targeted to silver-haired people (the elderly) are going from strength to strength, especially health and well-being related products. In 2020 alone China’s silver economy was worth over $1 trillion NZD. The elderly are becoming an important group for online shopping.  The pandemic saw this traditionally hard-to-reach demographic suddenly come online and two years later they have only grown in confidence.

However, this rising demand in the silver economy is not just driven by the elderly themselves. ‘Post-80s’ and ‘post-90s’ children frequently buy daily necessities, health products and holiday gifts for their parents. This “digital filial piety”, showing care for parents through e-commerce, is a way many children seek to make up for the regret they feel about not being at home to take care of them. For those New Zealand companies that can show how their products are good for the elderly, this is a key strength to market. 

Zoe Wang, China Marketing specialist, Kea member.

UK & Europe

The spread of Omicron means Covid-19 numbers in the UK and Europe remain high and frustrations around travel continue. However despite that, the UK and particularly London does seem to be just getting on with things.  Adjusted to a new normal? Or accepting of uncertainty being a part of our day to day lives? Whichever it is there is plenty to keep us busy in the coming year. Some of the key dates on the calendar which will be highly relevant to New Zealand businesses are;

• The signing and implementation of the UK FTA
• Completing negotiations of our European FTA
• Birmingham hosting Commonwealth Games – headed up by our very own Kea community member Katie Sadleir who has recently landed in London to take up the reigns as the CEO of Commonwealth Games Federation. 

We have the joy of in person events on the near horizon (Covid-19 willing), including Waitangi Day celebrations, a return of the NZ Society Waitangi Day Charity Ball and announcing the UK New Zealander of the Year award. Plus we are looking forward to our annual International Women’s Day event in March in conjunction with New Zealand Business Women’s Network (more details to come). 

This year the UK will also come to a halt as the Queen celebrates her Platinum Jubilee marking 70 years on the throne – officially this is February 6th.  We are all looking forward to marking the occasion in June.  Included in the festivities is Kea WCNZ’er Monica Galetti, who will be judging the Jubilee Pudding competition alongside Dame Mary Berry and Buckingham Palace Head Chef, Mark Lanagan. We are also looking forward to welcoming the international business community from New Zealand when travel is less cumbersome, as well as friends and family. 

Sara Fogarty, Kea UK/Europe Regional Director

North America

It was a wild end of the year here in the USA. There was a sense of optimism for many industries heading into December. Christmas sales were strong, the hospitality sector was buoyant, and most people were looking forward to finally spending time with family. The travel industry saw unprecedented levels of people moving around the country, reporting close to pre-pandemic levels. Times Square was going to see the return of the 60K strong crowd to welcome in the new year. Then a curveball. Omicron was first detected in the USA on December 1st, 2021 and since then the US has seen rapidly increasing Covid numbers including a record single-day number of more than 1 million new infections.

The recent wave has affected every part of daily life here, from school bus drivers to mass transit staff and the airline industry, particularly hard hit. Retailers and restaurants are experiencing disruptions due to lack of staff, and schools, who were set to return to in-person learning, are arguing with state officials about how to do that safely.

However, there is light ahead. This new strain seems to be proving less dangerous to those who are vaccinated, and data from other countries have authorities hopeful that we will see this spike and decline sooner than later. I guess this will be our lives worldwide for a few years to come, as we are learn to live with Covid-19.

Regardless 2021 saw many Kiwi businesses entering the market. Much talked about Kiwi brand, Allbirds, known for its eco-friendly wool sneakers, started trading on the Nasdaq exchange in November and new startups and established companies also expanded and increased their presence in this market, with Kea providing connections to our community. 

Last year, Denver featured in the news as a destination hub for N.Z. tech startups with a very supportive global business development program and its geographical location attracting over 25 companies to the city alone. Xero relocated to Denver in 2014 and has paved the way for other companies to follow; more information about their Global Business Development initiative here. 

Trends we saw in 2021 will continue to be a key focus for businesses this year. Governments and companies will be under pressure in 2022 to tackle climate change, despite persistent pandemic and economic challenges. Product and supply chain sustainability, green manufacturing, and design practices are significant drivers in product development. Consumers are looking for credible and authentic products and services, and that trend will continue to grow this year. 

Gary Fortune, Kea North America Regional Director

New Zealand

A New Year ushered in the halfway milestone for Expo 2020, with the show entering its fourth month. The team also celebrated a huge milestone, marking 700,000 visitors so far. Listen to WCNZer Leigh Flounders speak with New Zealand at Expo’s Nicola Garvey about his perspective on what Expo 2020 is really like, and his top takeouts from his time at the event. 

The big focus for the Government this year will continue to be the ongoing response to the pandemic, particularly with the Omicron variant causing so much disruption offshore. Along with that other significant programmes include;

• Continuing negotiations on several Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). As well as the cabinet review, signing, and implementation of the NZ-UK FTA, further rounds of negotiations on the EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA) upgrade, New Zealand is one of more than 80 World Trade Organisation (WTO) members launching negotiations on e-commerce. The WTO e-commerce negotiations are even more vital with the exponential uptake of digital trade during the COVID pandemic. The negotiations will cover paperless trading; customs duties on electronic transmissions; authentication and security; openness and market access, including the flow of information and data; trust and digital trade and infrastructure gaps (the digital divide)
• Health system reforms and the launch of the Maori Health Authority. The Ministry of Health will be focused on policy, strategy and regulation while a new body, Health New Zealand, will take over the planning and commissioning of services and the functions of the existing 20 District Health Boards to remove duplication and provide true national planning. The new Māori Health Authority will work alongside Health NZ to improve services and achieve equitable health outcomes for Māori, and both new bodies are expected to be established by July. This reform signals a major digital transformation for healthcare in New Zealand, and an opportunity for the country to benefit from the expertise and experience of other nations leading the way in digital healthcare systems. 
• The hosting of several major sporting events including the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in March, the Women’s Rugby World Cup in October and November. Hopefully these events will give a much needed boost to local businesses.

Saya Wahrlich, Global Director, Government & Industry

• CASE STUDY – LESSONS FROM A PANDEMIC
• 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

LESSONS FROM A PANDEMIC

The tourism industry has been hard hit by the global pandemic so can New Zealand businesses survive, revive and thrive? This month we talk to several of our Kea community including Air NZ CEO Greg Foran and Jucy co-founder Tim Alpe about the lessons they have learned over the past two years and hear why they remain positive about the future of New Zealand’s tourism industry. READ MORE

CHINA

China is experiencing an e-commerce boom as the pandemic dramatically changes the way consumers interact online. As of June 2021, the number of online shoppers reached 812m, accounting for 80.3% of total internet users. 2022 looks set to be another year of innovation. China marketing expert and Kea member Zoe Wang looks at the key trends for this year. READ MORE

UK & EUROPE

2022 looks set to be a busy year for the UK and Europe. Work will continue on several free trade agreements and there is hope that major events like the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the Commonwealth Games could bring some much needed respite for those in the hospitality sector. Our Europe Regional Director Sara Fogarty looks at the key dates for Kiwi business owners and those offshore. READ MORE

NORTH AMERICA

Omicron continues to cause havoc in North America with supply chain delays and closures of key services and businesses who find themselves unable to operate as too many of their staff have contracted Covid. North America Regional Director Gary Fortune, looks at how the year is shaping up and what Kiwi in New Zealand need to know about the disruptions. READ MORE

NEW ZEALAND EXPO TEAM CELEBRATE MILESTONE

A New Year ushered in the halfway milestone for Expo 2020, with the show entering its fourth month. More than 700,000 visitors have so far passed through the pavilion, a great outcome for the team. Listen to WCNZer Leigh Flounders speak with New Zealand at Expo’s Nicola Garvey about his perspective on what Expo 2020 is really like, and his top takeouts from his time at the event. 

The big focus for the Government this year will continue to be the ongoing response to the pandemic, particularly with the Omicron variant causing so much disruption offshore. Along with that other significant programmes include;

• Continuing negotiations on several Free Trade Agreements (FTAs). As well as the cabinet review, signing, and implementation of the NZ-UK FTA, further rounds of negotiations on the EU-NZ Free Trade Agreement and the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand FTA (AANZFTA) upgrade, New Zealand is one of more than 80 World Trade Organisation (WTO) members launching negotiations on e-commerce. The WTO e-commerce negotiations are even more vital with the exponential uptake of digital trade during the COVID pandemic. The negotiations will cover paperless trading; customs duties on electronic transmissions; authentication and security; openness and market access, including the flow of information and data; trust and digital trade and infrastructure gaps (the digital divide)
• Health system reforms and the launch of the Maori Health Authority. The Ministry of Health will be focused on policy, strategy and regulation while a new body, Health New Zealand, will take over the planning and commissioning of services and the functions of the existing 20 District Health Boards to remove duplication and provide true national planning. The new Māori Health Authority will work alongside Health NZ to improve services and achieve equitable health outcomes for Māori, and both new bodies are expected to be established by July. This reform signals a major digital transformation for healthcare in New Zealand, and an opportunity for the country to benefit from the expertise and experience of other nations leading the way in digital healthcare systems. 
• The hosting of several major sporting events including the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in March, the Women’s Rugby World Cup in October and November. Hopefully these events will give a much needed boost to local businesses.

Saya Wahrlich, Global Director, Government & Industry

BUSINESS CONNECTIONS MADE IN MARKET THIS MONTH**

SECTORS KEA CONNECT SUPPORTED THIS MONTH

*Year to date reflects financial year commencing 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022
**Some businesses were provided connections in more than one market

KIWI ENTREPRENEUR TAKES ON ICONIC ITALIAN BEVERAGE

LemonYello will be at a bar near you this year! A  bitter twist on a Limoncello, and made with Manuka Honey, the product has been created by one of our Kiwi returners. Born from the shores of Waiheke Island, the business also serves a social purpose and donates profits to planting trees for bees. While they haven’t officially launched yet, their team are experts in the drinks and marketing industry with Global Advisors and a UK distributor already committed. With the hefty goal of disrupting the Aperol drinking market globally, the Founder sought support from Kea Connect to build New Zealand industry connections, and seek investment. Kea has supported with an introduction to well-known New Zealand beverage brand, as well as helping promote LemonYello as an investment opportunity.

GOOD COMMUNICATION SAVES LIVES

Celo was born from a simple belief that good communication has the ability to save lives. The company’s founders previously worked in the medical field and noticed that in order to connect with each other, colleagues were often were ignoring contractual obligations to use compliant platforms. Additionally,  they often had to share personal contact details which blurred the lines between their professional and personal lives. Celo sets out to solve that problem, its secure app makes it easy for teams to communicate, enabling compliant and efficient messaging for better patient care. It is compatible with iOS, Android, web, desktop, and described as “The LinkedIn, Facebook and WhatsApp for healthcare”.

After having built connections in Australia and the UK through Kea Connect, Celo has once again reached out to connect with experts in the USA in order to help shape their market entry strategy.

AUCKLAND UNIVERSITY MAKES NZ FIRST APPOINTMENT

A co-head of the School of Māori and Pacific Studies, Associate Professor Jemaima Tiatia, has been promoted to Acting Pro Vice-Chancellor Pacific at the University of Auckland, becoming the first Pasifika women to hold this role.

DLA PIPER SIGNS CORPORATE SOLAR POWER PURCHASE AGREEMENT

DLA Piper has initiated the construction of a UK solar farm by signing a corporate power purchase agreement (PPA) with NextEnergy Group. Under the agreement, 15 of DLA Piper’s European and UK offices taking part in the project will be supplied with renewable power from the new solar farm. 

ADIDAS x ALLBIRDS – A COLLABORATION OF KAITIAKITANGA

When Kea Connect introduced Allbirds co-founder Tim Brown to fellow Kiwi and President of adidas North America, Zion Armstrong, a collaboration between the two companies was the last thing on his mind. In fact Tim says he was just honoured the ‘bloke would have lunch with him’. Fast forward a few years and the two companies have just released a ground breaking low carbon running shoe which Tim says highlights the power of the ‘New Zealand network in full force’ READ MORE

QUEEN HONOURS KIWI BRINGING COMMUNITY SPIRIT TO LONDON

Emma Rigby has just become the first New Zealander to receive a British Empire Medal for services to the community. Her organisation ‘Love Your Doorstep’ was founded after the London Riots when Emma realised she needed some Kiwi community atmosphere in her North London borough. 11 years on her organisation is one of the largest of its kind in the UK and has changed the lives of thousands of people. READ MORE

CRICKET COVERAGE THE CATALYST FOR CHANGE

James Gemmell may be a familiar face to offshore Kiwi mad about sport. He built his reputation fronting rugby, including the 2019 World Cup for Sky UK. Now he’s back in New Zealand to take up a role behind the camera. He spoke to us about the challenges of relocating a young family, how it feels to be back on Kiwi soil and why he thinks this is such an exciting time for those seeking opportunities in Aotearoa. READ MORE

WORLD CLASS SPEAKER SERIES: Our next World Class Speaker Series features Jucy Co-founder Tim Alpe. Tim and his brother Dan built the Jucy group from scratch over 20 years, only to lose 90% of their revenue overnight when borders closed. Over the past two years Tim has had to make a series of difficult decisions including dividing up and selling the business to ensure the brand has a future. He talks to us about the unprecedented challenges the tourism industry has faced during the pandemic and his offers his advice for other business owners. He also explains why he believes the New Zealand tourism industry can survive, revive and thrive. Join us on March 17th to hear Tim’s incredible story of grit and determination. ATTEND

VIRTUAL RETURNER MEETUPS: Every month Kea holds returner meetups to build our community of recently returned Kiwi. It’s an important way for our community to build their personal and professional networks and share their experiences with others. The next event will take place on Wednesday the 2nd of March. If you know someone who has recently returned to Aotearoa please encourage them to come along. ATTEND