November Update from Kea

• NOVEMBER CASE STUDY – THE SOUNDS OF OUR LIVES
• 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

THE SOUNDS OF OUR LIVES

John Taite knows the importance of sound. A Kiwi living in New York, his work sees him help big brands emotionally connect with their consumers through the power of sonic branding. But it’s a different kind of sound that’s driving his latest project. John is on a mission to make the stories and interviews of his late father, music journalist Dylan Taite, easily accessible to a new generation of Kiwi music fans. READ MORE

CHINA

China’s economy is on track to exceed it’s growth target for 2021 and the country’s Vice Premier says he’s ‘abundantly confident’ about the country’s economy in 2022. Next year China will focus on cultivating a better environment for small and medium-sized enterprises and foreign companies and also to expand market access for overseas firms and promoting fair competition. We look at what this might mean for Kiwi businesses. READ MORE

UK & EUROPE

The mood across the UK and Europe remains cautious as countries wait to see how the Omicron variant will play out. Restrictions have been put back in place in some countries while others are taking a wait and see approach. Despite this there is optimism for 2022 with businesses looking ahead to the finalising of FTA’s and the return of travel. Our UK and Europe Director Sara Fogarty highlights the key focus areas for New Zealand in 2022. READ MORE

NORTH AMERICA

In North America Thanksgiving has seen record numbers of Americans travel to be with families, many for the first time since the pandemic struck. As the country rebounds there is a focus on the ever-expanding healthcare industry, eco-friendly and sustainable consumer products, and tech-savvy SaaS industry. Our North America Regional Director Gary Fortune, looks at where the opportunities lie for Kiwi businesses in 2022. READ MORE

NEW ZEALAND BORDERS PREPARE TO OPEN

The big news this month is the announcement of the reopening New Zealand’s borders and the move to the traffic light system. 

In advance of borders reopening, Trade and Export Growth Minister Damien O’Connor is on a three-week trip through Singapore, Australia, and Europe. In Singapore and Australia, the wide-ranging series of meetings are focused on building on New Zealand’s COVID recovery by furthering our economic and trade objectives across the Indo-Pacific region. In Europe, Switzerland was due to host the critically important 12th World Trade Organization (WTO) Ministerial Conference, but just days ago the in-person event was cancelled due to the Omicron variant. However Minister O’Connor will continue to discuss bilateral and regional trade and economic issues with counterparts from other countries and progress New Zealand’s ongoing free trade agreement negotiations, as part of our trade-led economic recovery.

Domestic preparation for border reopening, tourism transformation, and recovery has taken another step forward with Tourism Minister Stuart Nash outlining the Industry Transformation Plan (ITP) as part of the $200 million Tourism Communities Support, Recovery and Re-set package. Recognising the significant and ongoing disruption to tourism, the first stage of the ITP will focus on ‘better work’ and developing the tourism workforce, and the second step will focus on the environmental challenges posed by tourism. The recovery strategy will be based on a ground-breaking partnership between government, industry, workers and Māori interests and will prioritise regenerative tourism – meaning the industry seeks to give back more than it takes from people, places and the environment.

Saya Wahrlich, Global Director, Government & Industry

*Year to date reflects financial year commencing 1 July 2021 to 30 June 2022

SECTORS KEA CONNECT SUPPORTED THIS MONTH

IS AI TECHNOLOGY THE FUTURE OF MENTAL HEALTH?

Clearhead is an AI mental health startup with a social mission to transform the way personalised mental wellbeing support is provided equitably to everyone and dramatically improve access to care through technology. Their integrated online platform provides an end-end service from triaging to treatment across the whole spectrum of care that is fully automated and scalable.

Clearhead was founded in 2018 by a medical doctor with 10 years’ of experience in health technology. Understanding the importance of access to mental wellbeing support, and how difficult this access can be across the globe, the Founder set out to solve the problem through technology.

Having worked with both the New Zealand Government and some of the largest corporates, including Microsoft and Hewlett-Packard, Clearhead is expanding into the US. Kea has supported this expansion through introductions to two med tech experts, each with extensive knowledge of the industry and routes to market.

HELPING PEOPLE TO THRIVE DESPITE DISRUPTION

The Founders of Hummingly have both worked in disaster zones around the world, and realised that helping one community, one disaster at a time, wasn’t enough. Their shared passion and understanding of needs in this space, at both a community and corporate level, led to the creation of Hummingly.

Hummingly provides products and training to help businesses and communities deal with stress and uncertainty that comes from living in disruptive environments. From card decks, to video packs, Hummingly provide toolkits that aim to equip people with adaptability and resilience. Hummingly have worked with the Australian Red Cross, the Task Force for Global Health in the USA, and NZ Post.

The company is currently focused on growth in the US, and Kea is supporting Hummingly through connections to two experts in resilience in and crisis management to help them further understand brand positioning and opportunities in market.

KEA AND TOPHAM GUERIN SIGN GLOBAL CREATIVE PARTNERSHIP

Kea’s commitment to showcasing inspiring stories of Kiwi and Kiwi businesses all around the world will be elevated thanks to the signing of a global partnership with leading creative digital agency Topham Guerin.

MEET AUCKLAND’S 40 UNDER 40

They are the trailblazers, innovators and bright young professionals who are changing the status quo. The University of Auckland’s 40 Under 40 list for 2021 provides a glimpse into New Zealand’s rising stars and leaders.

CHANGES TO THE OVERSEAS INVESTMENT ACT

Changes to the Overseas Investment Act (OIA) which came in this month, will impact overseas investors looking to purchase or invest in New Zealand businesses or land. Find out more here

THE INCLUSIVE DIGITAL REVOLUTION

Our reliance on digital technology has exploded over the past few years, and while many of us don’t really think about being connected for some Kiwi it’s a huge barrier, but there is an easy way you can help. READ MORE

GIVE A CHILD A CHANCE THIS CHRISTMAS

We know our Kea community are keen to give back to Aotearoa this Christmas and that’s why we have partnered with the Starship Foundation to help raise awareness and donations for the National Air Ambulance, find out how this service helps 100’s of Kiwi kids each year. READ MORE

FIVE TIPS TO KEEP THINGS FESTIVE FROM AFAR

We speak to clinical psychologist Jacqui Maguire about staying connected with friends and family offshore whilst still keeping things festive this holiday season.  READ MORE

WORLD CLASS SPEAKER SERIES: Our first World Class Speaker Series featuring South American based Kiwi Craig bell was a huge success. Craig spoke to our audience about how he’s taken traditional farming practices to Brazil and disrupted the industry. He also spoke about his incredible work giving back to his local community, and why he believes business is about making a dollar and a difference. This event is now available to watch online. WATCH

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. These events will start again in early February 2022. If you know someone who has recently returned to Aotearoa please encourage them to come along. ATTEND