In June 2023, Global Victoria led its inaugural trade mission to Fine Food New Zealand. Twelve businesses exhibiting on the Victorian Pavilion showcased their innovative products to key buyers across the food, food service, hospitality and retail sector.
In July 2023, government and business leaders from both sides of the Tasman converged on Wellington for the annual Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (ANZLF).
Under the overarching theme of “Forward Together”, key topics explored included:
- celebrating 80 years of mutual diplomatic relations, 50 years of streamlined Trans-Tasman travel and 40 years of the Closer Economic Relations (CER) agreement.
- seeking views on modernising CER to ensure it remains a world-leading agreement for the next 40 years and beyond, including the digital economy, streamlined travel and further regulatory alignment
- boosting First Nations trade and engagement with the Pacific
- collaborating to address the infrastructure pipeline in both countries
- driving innovation and R&D, including in space and defence cooperation.
The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, was an excellent example of the two countries collaborating on the global stage. Attendance and viewership records were smashed during the competition, with powerful legacy benefits for women’s sport and football in both countries and across the world.
The economic outlook in NZ remains challenging but with positive indicators including rising net migration and signs of stabilisation in the official cash rate and consumer price index.
The next general election will take place on 14 October 2023.
Pacific Snapshot
The Pacific is a key priority for Australia, New Zealand and a wide range of international actors.
In April 2023, New Zealand’s Deputy Prime Minister led a Pacific Mission to Solomon Islands, Fiji and Tonga. Since taking office, Australia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs has visited all Pacific Island Forum member states. In July 2023, the French President and American Secretary of State visited the Pacific. This level of focus highlights the opportunities that are available in the Pacific, particularly through development finance projects in the infrastructure, transport, energy and water sectors.
Global Victoria hosted the Melbourne edition of the International Development Opportunities Seminar in Melbourne on 14 August 2023, in partnership with Austrade.
Development projects continue to present significant opportunities for Australian organisations to contribute to Pacific priorities, owing to their geographic proximity, proven track record, knowledge and understanding of regional needs, and expertise in relevant sectors.
The Pacific Infrastructure Conference is taking place in Meanjin Brisbane in September 2023 with political and business representatives from all 16 Pacific Islands Forum countries, as well as Australia and New Zealand, United States of America, Japan, France and other bilateral partners and multi-lateral development agencies like ADB, World Bank, and UNDP.