Hopefully more of our manufacturing exporters are back up and running in level 3 in Auckland and we progress as a nation back to level 1 as soon as possible. The other issue weighing heavily on exporters and business travellers is the inability to get back into the country because of MIQ constraints. Please see below where we are asking for feedback to the Government on this problem via a formal submission process. In my view we need to do away with MIQ for business travel - it will always be a choke point.  We need vaccinated business travellers to get saliva tests pre and post departure and a very short self-isolation on return. We will continue to lobby for this approach.

Catherine Beard

027 463 3212 or cbeard@exportnz.org.nz

The COVID-19 Amendment Bill has been introduced to the House and is likely to have its first reading next week and be promptly sent to Select Committee. The Bill shifts the provisions for MIQ which were contained within Public Health Orders into the Act. The Bill is available on the Legislation website here.

BusinessNZ and ExportNZ will be submitting on the Bill and strongly encourage all businesses impacted by MIQ issues to provide feedback. 

The full submission will be circulated to members, however in relation to MIQ, it will note:

• Business travellers are a low risk cohort of traveller and if vaccinated they should have a short self-isolation period on return to NZ (with appropriate testing).
• MIQ has served a purpose but any new legislation should be flexible enough to respond to changes to border settings and balanced with far greater levels of accountability and transparency that Government is balancing ‘social, humanitarian and economic need’, as originally intended. 
• The lack of a coherent ‘end-to-end’ border system has created complex and contradictory settings and limited access for businesses that meet the specified criteria.  Even for those sectors with class border exemptions – unless Ministerial powers have been used to facilitate MIQ spaces they have been left to navigate the open booking system have not been able to get people through the border.
• The Ministerial powers are far-reaching and need to be balanced with greater accountability and transparency and working with business on solutions. 
• The suggested provisions are based on the current system that was stood up under urgency – the settings are too broad, and do not reflect the complex and complicated policy settings that are now in practice to administer MIQ.  With the same settings in the legislation as is currently in the Public Health Orders, Government is missing an opportunity to improve the system which has resulted in the most restrictive border settings currently in place for New Zealand since the pandemic began.  Significant and urgent changes are needed to ensure capacity and utilisation of MIQ is maximised while shifting towards the Reconnecting New Zealand settings.
• There are significant risks to the economy of New Zealand and the wellbeing of New Zealanders if border settings are not reviewed and amended within the context of global travel reopening and the impact of vaccination.

A draft submission will be circulated next week.  BusinessNZ/ ExportNZ looks forward to your feedback.

The Reconnecting New Zealanders to the World Forum was recently held in Wellington. Under discussion were some of the big questions facing the country as we continue to protect New Zealanders against COVID-19, but at the same time prepare to gradually and safely reopen to the world.

Watch the forum and read more here: See more ->>

It has been an interesting month on the trade policy front.

UK

New Zealand has failed to conclude negotiations with the UK and intensive discussions are continuing.  It seems that some unexpected differences have emerged that are more complex to resolve than anyone anticipated.  Minister Damien O’Connor’s visit to Europe and the UK in November is going to be very important in hopefully bringing these differences to resolution.

Read more ->>

So, you have a great New Zealand product to sell to the world – but what now? Exporting goods can seem like a maze, but help is at hand.

The Ministry for Primary Industries' Exporter Regulatory Advice Service (ERAS) is a free service that helps New Zealand exporters navigate the requirements for export of primary products.

The ERAS team can provide 1:1 advice but has also developed a range of tools to support New Zealand exporters.

The ERAS team identified that some exporters and operators were having trouble learning to use the Animal Product E-cert system (AP E-cert).

AP E-cert is the web application MPI uses to issue government-to-government assurances for animal products exported from New Zealand.

The team worked closely with industry to test prototypes and gather feedback along the way from a diverse group of users and businesses and came up with the suite of resources.

The resources include videos, quick reference guides and a walk-through demo. They were designed with new and infrequent users in mind – and are available Learn how to use AP E-cert | Export | NZ Government (mpi.govt.nz)

Contact details for this service: info@mpi.govt.nz or 0800 00 83 33.

New Zealand hosts the APEC CEO Summit once every 21 years. This year, for the first time ever, the Summit will be live in Auckland, on 11 and 12 November, and streamed internationally.

APEC will feature thought-provoking keynotes, CEO panels, and presentations from a number of world leaders, and will canvass the big topics being grappled with by business and governments across our region and the world.

The first speakers announced include: Dr David Suzuki, a gifted interpreter of science and nature who provides a compelling look at the state of our environment; Amber Mac an award-winning podcaster, TV host, bestselling author and internationally-known technology reporter; and one of Asia’s most recognisable entrepreneurs, Tony Fernandes.

Topics will include accelerating economic recovery from COVID; building business as a force for good; digital transformation; sustainability; and renewable energy.

You can register your interest in attending the summit at https://apec2021nz.org/ceo-summit

Callaghan are conducting  a survey for the Industry 4.0 Demonstration Network. The intention of this 4-min survey is to help shape where the programme can better target its future of Industry 4.0 support. This follows on from an earlier report that one of the programme partners conducted last year - found here.

• The Industry 4.0 Demonstration Network (www.industry4.govt.nz) has been operating for over a year and we want to better understand industry views to help us tailor the Industry 4.0 demonstration network experience.
• Our goal is to present Industry 4.0 concepts to New Zealand manufacturers in a relatable and practical way to provide a clear path to adoption and ultimately lead them to remain globally competitive.
• Survey findings will be compared against one conducted last year to help us better understand the current uptake of Industry 4.0 (digital / emerging technology) solutions by New Zealand manufacturing/production companies.
• The  survey should take approximately 4 minutes to complete.  This is the time it takes to have your cup of coffee!
• By completing the survey, you will go into the draw to win one of two $50 Prezzy Cards!
• Responses and information are securely collected and kept confidential by the three parties named and no identifiable information will be shared or sold.

To participate in this survey click on this link: https://www.research.net/r/I4netowrksurvey

Made with Care is a global campaign designed to grow awareness, preference and demand for New Zealand food and beverage products around the world.

Driven by consumer insights and backed by significant investment, the campaign aims to build a foundation of value for New Zealand products that individual businesses can leverage through campaign initiatives and their own sales and marketing efforts.

If you're already exporting, or have ambitions to export your products, this campaign is for you. There are a number of ways you can get involved.

Check out their latest campaign newsletter - See more ->>

On 13 October 2021 the NZ-ASEAN Food and Drink Exporters Forum will be hosting 'The ASEAN Distributor Perspective'.

The event will be value to anyone with interest in the Southeast Asian imported F&B sector.

See more ->>

AgriFutures Australia's evokeAG and Wharf42 are collaborating to enable Australian & New Zealand innovators, researchers and farmers to come together to lead on climate action.

On 26-27 April next year, Wharf42 is hosting the 2035 Oceania Summit in Auckland. The Summit has been designed to enable the region’s scientific & research community, its industry leaders, agribusiness & agritech companies, farmers & growers, regulators and policy makers to meet and discuss how agrifood tech innovation and on-farm application can help address the significant threat posed by climate change.

See more ->>

New Zealand is renowned for its high quality, natural and genuine products. With Alibaba.com, you can reach millions of B2B buyers globally.

In partnership with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, Great South and Export NZ, Alibaba.com is excited to be launching their Gold Supplier Program in New Zealand. Ten workshops will be hosted to showcase how Alibaba.com can benefit your business to reach out to potential buyers and distributors across the world. Learn how they can help you grow your business on your own terms, and to have the opportunity to be amongst the first New Zealand business to join the platform.

Register now to join us and learn how Alibaba can help globalise your business.

See more ->>

Henry Wills recently completed his Master's Thesis at the Université Grenoble Alpes (he lived and worked for an exporting company in New Zealand, hence the NZ focus).

His thesis - "What we can learn from New Zealand exporters?" - The establishment of international B2B distribution channels for high-value products aims to research and understand the establishment of international B2B distribution challenges for high-value products. From his research, a simple guide with several key priorities will be made for business.

Included in the research was a survey of group experts which included companies in New Zealand.

Read more here ->>

A new report on the approach German companies are taking to diversifying supply sources, prepared by the New Zealand Embassy in Berlin has been published.

It includes:

• Details from a survey of 5000 German manufacturers on their approach to supply sources
• Implications for New Zealand suppliers.

See more ->>

You can view all reports from Europe here.

A new report on opportunities in Thailand for New Zealand Agritech, prepared by the New Zealand Embassy in Bangkok, with input from NZTE, has been published.

It includes:

• An overview of trade between New Zealand and Thailand
• Information about the Thai agritech market
• Guidance on how to enter the market

See more ->>

You can view all reports from Asia here.

MFAT publish regular reports on topics of interest to the NZ export community, often in collaboration with other NZ Government agencies such as MPI, Education New Zealand, Customs, NZTE and MBIE.

To sign up for email alerts when new reports are published, please email exports@mfat.net

Latest reports

• Canada: Covid-19 Economic Recovery September 2021
• Global Economic and Trade Update for New Zealand Businesses - 17 September 2021
• Singapore's Construction Industry - August 2021
• German businesses keen to diversity their sources of supply - August 2021
• Thailand: Opportunities for New Zealand Agritech - July 2021

See more ->>