New Zealand and Australia are celebrating 80 years of mutual diplomatic relations, 50 years of streamlined Trans-Tasman travel and 40 years of the Closer Economic Relations agreement.  This milestone year comes after Victorian exports
to New Zealand crossed the $3 billion threshold for the first time in the 2022 calendar year, increasing by 17 per cent from 2021.

The ANZ relationship will be front and centre in the upcoming 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, co-hosted between the two countries.

Shortly before the tournament kicked off, Global Victoria supported a contingent of Kiwi sports leaders to attend the SportNXT conference held in April in Melbourne  In February 2023, the first Victorian Government Aboriginal trade mission to Aotearoa New Zealand took place, as a partnership between Global Victoria and the Aboriginal Economic Development group from the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industries and Regions (DJSIR).

The nine participating businesses met with key business, community, and government stakeholders to help them gain connections, export readiness and market intelligence.

Challenging global conditions continue to impact New Zealand’s economy, compounded by recent extreme weather events. New Zealand’s GDP dropped by 0.6 per cent in the December quarter, while the inflation rate is sitting above 7 per cent for the second consecutive quarter and the official cash rate has
climbed to 5.25 per cent.

Recent extreme weather events including Cyclone Gabrielle and flooding in the North Island are expected to cause impacts on inflation and production.

The next general election will take place on 14 October 2023. In January 2023, Chris Hipkins became Prime Minister of New Zealand after Jacinda Ardern stepped down.

Food and beverage

Global Victoria is taking a food and beverage trade mission to New Zealand in June 2023. Fine Food New Zealand is the country’s largest trade show for the food, food service, hospitality and retail sector and an exciting platform for market entry and expansion
into New Zealand. This trade mission is focused on new and early-stage exporters, as well as established exporters that are looking to diversify and grow in the New Zealand market.

Applications have closed and participating companies will be announced shortly. Key categories include packaged foods, beverages, health foods and alternative proteins.

Agriculture machinery and AgTech

In June 2023, the New Zealand agriculture sector will converge in Mystery Creek for Fieldays, the Southern Hemisphere’s largest agriculture event. Fieldays generally attracts more than 100,000 visitors and approximately 1000 exhibitors. Innovation is a key focus for the event, with the Innovation Awards
celebrating creators and innovators in the agriculture sector.