Upcoming Events
Calling for Expressions of Interest
The NZPBZ will be organising a business mission to Vanuatu in May 2025 and is now inviting Expressions of Interest.
Past Events
NZPBC Annual General Meeting
21st November 2024
The NZPBC held its 2024 Annual General Meeting on 21 November at the Bergman Gallery in Ponsonby, with 40 members in attendance. Chair Giles Jephcott provided his reflections on the council's achievements for 2024 and shared plans for 2025, with a strategic focus on a business mission to Vanuatu in May. After the formal AGM proceedings, members heard from Jennifer Anderson, Programme and Engagement Manager for the Pacific Innovation Hub, who offered valuable insights into Vanuatu. She also discussed the newly established Pacific Innovation Hub, which is dedicated to supporting business initiatives that drive sustainable impact in the Pacific. Darian Chu, ANZ Head of Markets and Transaction Banking Pacific, delivered an engaging overview of the Pacific market and some insight into the Vanuatuan economy. Following the speeches, attendees had the opportunity to network over light refreshments and view the current art exhibition at the gallery. The NZPBC would like to thank Benny Chan of Bergman Gallery for hosting this event.
Pacific Chairs Visit to Wellington
24th May 2024
Matthew Stroud represented New Zealand Pacific Business Council in the nations capital last week. Led by Simon Bridges, representatives of the Pacific Councils made their way to Wellington for an interesting morning of political insights and discussion on the Pacific Islands. These meetings included valuable time with Deputy Prime Minister, Rt Hon Winston Peters, and The Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Jenny Marcroft, along with New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.
NZPBC Informal Networking Breakfast
13th September 2024
The NZPBC’s quarterly informal networking breakfast held last Friday 13 September was a great success, featuring many new faces and animated networking. With no need for formal introductions, attendees enjoyed mingling over breakfast and coffee and there was no rush to leave. A special thank you to Lisa, Aaron and team from Up Cafe for your warm hospitality, and to everyone who made the effort to join us early this morning.
Pacific Infrastructure Business Opportunities Seminar
23-24th May 2024
This high-profile event brings together 350 key stakeholders, including representatives from Pacific governments, development partners, the Pacific Islands Forum, regional and local contractors, consultants, and more. The seminar's focus is on growing business opportunities in the Pacific and exploring how the local, regional, and international public and private sectors can collaborate to further strengthen trade, investment, and sustainable infrastructure development in the region. Bergman Gallery is an international art gallery with its roots in Rarotonga. The event was vibrant not only from the colourful exhibition by Kay George but from the attendees and the networking in such a wonderful venue.
NZPBC Business Mission to Solomon Islands
10-12th June 2024
Thanks to the New Zealand High Commission, our partners Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry, and the Solomon Islands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and External Trade for making this great event a reality. The 13 members of the delegation, representing a wide variety of businesses linked through the NZ Pacific Business Council (NZPBC), include New Zealand’s Suva-based Pacific trade Commissioner, David Dewar, and a senior member of the Samoa-based PACER Plus Implementation Unit. “We are very pleased to have the Business Mission in Solomon Islands,” New Zealand High Commissioner Jonathan Schwass said. “After the slowdown of the COVID period, New Zealand businesses working in both goods and services are now looking north to build new and stronger connections into the Pacific, and the Mission is evidence of that. Solomon Islands is a high priority for the NZPBC and that’s got to be good for both our countries”. Our Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, made it very clear during his recent visit to Fiji that he sees potential for greater private sector connection between New Zealand and Pacific Island countries, and we at the High Commission want to provide every opportunity to encourage that in terms of Solomon Islands.
ANZ - NZTE Economic Briefing
10th April 2024
As the NZPBC looks forward to the NZPBC led Business Mission to the Solomon Islands from June 10-12. New Zealand Trade & Enterprise, in partnership with ANZ Bank and the Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade), are pleased to invite you to a discussion on the economic situation and outlook for Solomon Islands as well as the ongoing trade and supply issues facing Solomon Islands. Solomon Islands is an important Pacific economy with a population over 750 thousand people and a GDP of around USD$1.6 billion, primarily based on agriculture, forestry and fisheries assets. The country’s economic progress and infrastructure development was highlighted last year with the successful hosting of the 2023 Pacific Games. It will soon be heading to a General Election on 17 April.
Cook Islands Networking Event
20th March 2024
The NZPBC in conjunction with Bergman Gallery in Ponsonby hosted a networking event with the focus on the Cook Islands. Bergman Gallery is an international art gallery with its roots in Rarotonga. The event was vibrant not only from the colourful exhibition by Kay George but from the attendees and the networking in such a wonderful venue.