New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

Take a look back at the export year that was (and our top stories of 2016)! Plus fresh insights on US agritech, telling NZ's tech story, the power of FTAs, and updates on New Zealand's trade relationships in 2017 and beyond. See more at nzte.govt.nz

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New Zealand's summertime holiday season is a time to enjoy nature, family and friends, reflect on the year, and look ahead to new horizons for the year to come.

Export News

15 December / Hakihea 2016

Kia ora Nelia,

Nau mai ki tēnei Pānui Tuku Rawa o Rāwāhi. Welcome to the latest Export News - and our final edition for 2016.

In this edition, we look back on some highlights of the year, and share some key insights on finding growth in the US agritech market in 2017 - plus a look at Māori tech investors in the US, more success for a top Māori food and beverage company, food for thought on FTAs and the New Zealand tech story, and updates on the trade agenda for New Zealand in the new year (and beyond).

Season's greetings to all our readers in New Zealand and around the world - we look forward to keeping you informed and updated in the new year.

Enjoy!

With a market size of $985 billion, a bite of the US agribusiness market is tempting for New Zealand companies - but tackling it successfully takes time, persistence, resource, and the right approach to market validation.

A closer look - how to tackle the US agri market in 2017

New Zealand agritech companies have a global reputation for achieving what others think impossible - but it's still a challenge to take an industry rooted in the soil of New Zealand, and make it grow in other lands. NZTE's James Wilde shares some key lessons for achieving results in the competitive US agritech market.

Get the insights

Antonia Prebble and Brooke Howard-Smith oversaw an evening of excitement at the 2016 New Zealand International Business Awards. A diverse group of winners was announced at this year’s awards, which are in their 50th year of celebrating the success of New Zealand businesses on the world stage.

WATCH: 2016 NZIBA video highlights

Nine companies won accolades in the 50th New Zealand International Business awards, which celebrate the success of New Zealand businesses on the world stage. Look back on the night and meet our new icons in this video wrap-up.

Watch now

The Investment Attraction Taskforce is designed to support a step change in New Zealand’s investment attraction efforts, to unlock barriers and enable the seamless facilitation of investment opportunities.

A year of progress: NZ Investment Attraction Taskforce

The New Zealand Investment Attraction Taskforce, set up in October 2015, has reported back on its first year of attracting high quality overseas investment to support business and economic growth - with its latest report online now.

The majority of New Zealand's exporters (63 percent) expect orders to increase in the next 12 months, according to the 2016 Export NZ DHL Export Barometer. A further 32 percent think their orders will remain at the same level.

2017 looking bright for New Zealand exporters (+VIDEO)

The 2016 Export NZ DHL Export Barometer suggests a strong 2016 for exporters, and a promising year to come - with almost two-thirds of surveyed companies expecting increased orders in 2017.

Industry news

Māori delegates and NZTE's Māori Business team outside tech startup hub Galvanize in San Francisco.

WATCH: Māori tech tour in the United States

Māori tech business owners and investors headed to the US last month for the the Te Tira Toi Whakangao Māori tech tour - take a look back at the trip with this report from TVNZ's Marae (free to view with OnDemand signup).

Jarrod Robinson, Head Cider Maker at Kono NZ, celebrates an early win for Tutū Cider at the NZ Cider Awards 2016.

Kono's Tutū recognised at NZ Cider Awards 2016

Just a year after its release, Kono NZ's Tutū Cider has claimed the title of Best New World Cider at the NZ Cider Awards 2016 - one of a record field of 117 ciders and fruit wines entered in the two-day awards in Nelson last month.

FROM THE BEEHIVE

Shanghai is China's pre-eminent international commercial centre, and a common destination for New Zealand companies looking to enter the market. An upgraded NZ-China FTA offers the potential for New Zealand businesses to capture more value from China as its economy continues to grow and mature.

China FTA upgrade process kicks off in 2017

New Zealand's exports to China have tripled since the signing of the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) in 2008 - and negotiations have now been launched to upgrade the agreement to further benefit both New Zealand and China, with talks set to begin in the first half of 2017.

IN BRIEF: Italy and NZ commit to doubling two-way trade

Several months on from the United Kingdom's referendum result on Brexit, the impacts for New Zealand business are not yet clear - but feedback received from businesspeople and members of the public will help shape the New Zealand Government's approach to protecting New Zealand's interests in a changing regional and international landscape.

New Zealand exporters' views on Brexit

The Government has released a summary of New Zealand businesses' views on Brexit and what it may mean to them, following consultation earlier in 2016. Find out more below, including a link to the full summary of public submissions.

Insights

Greg Chiles of Scott Technology credits New Zealand's trade agreements with giving the company a key advantage when pitching for business in China and Australia.

VIDEO: Scott Technology on the value of FTAs

Following on from our recent FTA special edition, Greg Chiles of Scott Technology explains how New Zealand's trade agreements have made the company more competitive in key export markets, and put them on a strong footing against European rivals.

Unlocking the value of NZ's tech stories

For many New Zealand companies, leveraging our clean, green country brand is is an obvious approach to take when building profile internationally, particularly for F&B. So what is our story when it comes to selling tech? Do the same rules apply, or do we need to make new ones?