January Update from Kea

• 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