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February Update from Kea
Kia ora tātou,
Our Kea community is welcoming the reopening of New Zealand’s borders and the removal of self isolation. This is a big step forward in our reconnection to the world and will enable both the reuniting of families and essential business travel which provides a clearer path for our export businesses.
Another positive step towards Aotearoa’s reconnection is a focus on trade relationships, including the signing of an historic free trade agreement with the UK, the upgrade to the NZ-China Free Trade Agreement and negotiations on an EU FTA. In our Global Insights section this month we take a look at the UK and China and what these agreements will mean for export businesses in these markets.
Finally this month we would like to share with you the inspiring story of Guled Mire. Guled came to New Zealand as a refugee aged six, and despite being repeatedly told he wouldn’t succeed at University, he went on to not only graduate with a degree in public policy but was also awarded a Fulbright Scholarship to study for his Masters at an Ivy League College in New York. A passionate advocate for refugees and minority communities, he’s previously spoken at the UN and advised the New Zealand Government. He tells us why he wants to use his new found knowledge and skills to give back to the country which has given him so much.
Toni Truslove
Kea Global CEO
- CASE STUDY – AGAINST ALL ODDS
- 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
CASE STUDY
AGAINST ALL ODDS
Guled Mire was born into the Somali Civil War and after spending several years in a refugee camp in Kenya, was resettled in New Zealand with his family at age 6. During his teenage years he struggled to fit in and was repeatedly told by his teachers that ‘University wasn’t a place for people like him.’ Despite this, he went anyway and after passing with flying colours, was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to study Public Policy at an Ivy League University in America. He talks about his inspirational journey, why he never gave up and how he wants to use his offshore experience to give back to the country that took him in. READ MORE
INSIGHTS FROM OUR GLOBAL COMMUNITY
CHINA
Kiwi businesses exporting to China will watch with interest the upgrade to the NZ-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) which comes into force on April 7, 2022. We look at the effect this will have for exporters. Plus with the Winter Olympics coming to a close we also examine the valuable role of good brand ambassadors. READ MORE
UK & EUROPE
Good news for Kiwi exporters this month with the signing of the UK-New Zealand FTA. Our UK and Europe Regional Director Sara Fogarty explains at what this means for Kiwi exporters. Plus she takes a look at the ambitious agenda set out by the new German Government. The centre-left three way coalition, is heavily focused on sustainability and has announced some bold plans including a focus on sustainable farming practises and digitalising German customs.
NORTH AMERICA
As restrictions relax and borders reopen there will no doubt be Kiwi businesses eyeing an entry into the US market our North America Regional Director Gary Fortune caught up with several US based Kea members and US business owners to ask them what sort of advice they would offer those looking to expand. READ MORE
NEW ZEALAND
It’s been a busy start to 2022 for the Digital Technologies Industry Transformation Plan (Digital ITP) with two milestones being reached. The publication of the Draft Digital ITP and the launch of the New Zealand Tech and Innovation Story Government Relations Director Saya Wahrlich explains. READ MORE
THIS MONTH IN NUMBERS
14
Number of Kiwi businesses assisted
55
Number of connections made
594
Number of connections made year to date*
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
GROWTH THROUGH KEA CONNECT
Each month Kea Connect helps Kiwi businesses grow by connecting them with Kiwi experts in markets all around the world. Here is an example of two businesses we helped this month.
PREMIUM MILK MEETS PREMIUM COFFEE
Creating beautiful coffee sachets filled with coffee from around the world is the key to DouXuan Coffee’s success. The company made a huge splash when they exhibited at the Shanghai Coffee and Food Festival in 2021, and in an effort to build on that early success they approached Kea’s Regional Director in China seeking connections with New Zealand premium milk brand Taupo Pure for a potential collaboration. As an exporter of premium dairy and goat milk powders with strong provenance and a focus on the China market, DouXuan felt the Taupo Pure brand aligned strongly with its target audience. The connection was successful and resulted in a cross brand collaboration of Douxuan coffee and an initial trial of 50,000 sachets of Taupo Pure milk powder for the China market.
URGENT REQUEST CREATES INROADS FOR KIWI TRANSPORTATION COMPANY
Transportation and logistics software company M2X provides one platform to optimise transportation, increase efficiency and reduce both costs and carbon emissions. The Kiwi company analyses billions of possible scenarios, to allow businesses to make stronger decisions based on more data, more analysis and more computational power than ever before and allowing companies to future proof their transport management. The founder came to to Kea asking for help with in-market connections for an upcoming short notice trip to the US. within days, Kea was able to make high level introductions to four Kea community members. The M2X team were then able to travel across North America to make the face to face connections Kea had arranged.
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
THREE MAORI BOYS GO GLOBAL
NZTE’s short documentary ‘Three Māori Boys’ tells the story of the Kiwi trio behind the premium beverage brand Wai Mānuka. The documentary aired on Maori TV this month and highlights the boys journey to take their product to the world. It can be watched in full here
NZ INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED
On 17 February 2022, a group of extraordinary businesses were recognised as the winners of the New Zealand International Business Awards 2021. See the full list of this year’s winners and read about their stories.
AS BORDERS REOPEN HOW WILL MARKETS PERFORM?
BNZ Head of Investment Solutions Louis Nel takes a look at how financial markets could perform in 2022 as countries reopen and the threat from the pandemic starts to ease.
TRENDING AT KEA
THE FUTURE OF WORK
There is no doubt the pandemic has changed the way we work forever. This month we speak to experts in our Kea community about what the future of work will look like and how we can balance our personal and professional lives. Plus we examine how adapting your company’s wellness offering can help attract and keep top talent and compete with larger companies who can afford to offer bigger salaries. READ MORE
SOWING THE SEEDZ OF SUCCESS
US based Kiwi, Rebecca Brady has transformed her love of baking crackers into a highly successful business. Her company Top Seedz, employs only female refugees and she’s got a strong track record of helping other Kiwi businesses break into the tough US market, plus Top Seedz just won a million dollars in an international business competition. She shares her recipe for success. READ MORE
WORKPLACE CULTURE CRUCIAL FOR STARTUP SUCCESS
Data cleaning company Segna is a Kiwi startup on the road to success. After being accepted into one of Silicon Valley’s most prestigious start up programmes, co-founder Aryan Lobie realised his business was about to experience significant growth. So he contacted Kea Connect to get help with a common problem – how to create a positive workplace culture and avoid growing pains. READ MORE
UPCOMING EVENTS
WORLD CLASS SPEAKER SERIES: Our next World Class Speaker Series features CEO and China marketing expert Jennifer Ma. Jennifer is the founder of the ‘Little Oasis’ childcare chain which is based on the New Zealand principals of education and play and has 15 centres across 11 locations in China. Recent changes to China’s education policies have meant she has had to pivot her business model to keep up with regulations. Jennifer is also in the process of launching a children’s beverage line and family first hotel complex. As part of giving back to her community, she also works to get Chinese mothers back into work and helps Kiwi businesses understand the China market. She will discuss the trends and changes in marketing to children and families in China and look at what the new Government focus on “family time” could mean for New Zealand brands. 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
HOW KEA CAN HELP
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