Alibaba Group, the world’s largest online and mobile marketplace, and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), the New Zealand Government’s international business development agency, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today to formalise discussions for strengthening trade between China and New Zealand and support the growth of New Zealand brands in China.

Forget our Western orthodox ways of doing business if you want to see success in China.

That's the message from one senior New Zealand executive following a week-long programme with 20 other New Zealand business leaders in Shanghai, covering both the huge potential that China represents and the pitfalls that await the unwary.

The Government is running TPP roadshows on the outcomes of TPP for New Zealand. The roadshows will help businesses prepare to take advantage of new opportunities presented by the TPP. 

Registrations are now open for the TPP roadshows in Hamilton on 6 May, and Nelson on 11 May.

Now in its fifth year, Kea Inspire returns to bring you the inspirational stories of six world-leading, world-changing Kiwis from Kea’s World Class NZ Network.

These Kiwis represent the very best New Zealand has to offer the world. Be inspired by personal stories of triumph and lessons learned on paths to global success across business, philanthropy, cuisine, sustainability and more.

Speakers include Sarah Robb O’Hagan, Global Business Executive and Chief Extremer at ExtremeYou, and Robert Oliver, Celebrity chef, award-winning author, speaker, and TV presenter.

The free trade agreement between New Zealand and Malaysia is coming up for review, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is asking New Zealanders for feedback on it.

The agreement has been in force for five years, and in that time New Zealand's goods exports to Malaysia have grown 34 percent. It is now time to review the agreement and MFAT is looking for feedback from businesses, including exporters, importers and investors; Māori; and any other stakeholders.

Submissions close 12 May.

Stephanie Gasperini has joined New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) as Director of Better by Design.

Based in Auckland, Stephanie is responsible for all aspects of NZTE’s Better By Design programme, which helps businesses use design thinking to become more innovative, efficient and internationally competitive.

The United States is a large and lucrative market with plenty of opportunities for those that do it right. To make the most out of entry into Silicon Valley or New York’s Silicon Alley, New Zealand technology companies need to be prepared.

Kelly Hoey, NZTE North American Beachheads advisor shares her insights.

Chris Ridd is a Beachheads advisor for New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and until recently, the managing director of Xero Australia.

Before that, he spent 15 years working for Microsoft.

Here, he shares his top tips on building a company in a new market based on firsthand experience.

Bank of China (NZ) will hold an inaugural China-New Zealand Agribusiness Investment and Trade Conference on 25 May at the Viaduct Events Centre in Auckland.

The conference, supported by NZTE and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, will open with a keynote speech from Bank of China’s deputy chief executive, followed by face-to-face break-out match meetings for New Zealand companies wanting to establish contacts, find distribution partners and discuss market entry requirements in China.

The tiny Waikato town of Kerepehi once resembled one of those semi-deserted rural communities unkindly referred to as "zombie towns".

The dairy factory had long ceased operations, the War Memorial Hall and domain were seldom used and a close-knit rural community - which proudly sent 15 soldiers to World War I and 49 to World War II - mustered only 429 residents last census night.

But this dot on State Highway 2, between Ngatea and Paeroa, is emerging as an industrial and food technology hub.