Prime Minister Luxon’s business delegation delivers impact in Japan
New Zealand’s expertise and innovation in the green economy, investment, premium food and beverage and space sectors were in the spotlight during Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s visit to Japan this week.
The 30-strong business delegation was led by Dame Therese Walsh, Chair of Air New Zealand and ASB, who said:
“The Prime Minister has been focussed on delivering significant impact in off-shore markets and with Japan being the world’s 4th largest economy, it is vital to our economic future. The business delegation supporting the Prime Minister includes many exporters with strong current connections and prospects in Japan. During the Prime Minister’s Mission to Japan, the delegation has secured 18 deliverables (signings, showcases and announcements) including some from Rocket Lab, Fabrum, Eastland Group and Zespri. It’s a visit that New Zealand can be proud of.”
Paul Newfield, Chief Executive of infrastructure investment company, Morrison, was part of the delegation and said: “The mission has provided an incredible opportunity to share the New Zealand story and build business connections that could unlock billions of dollars of investment for New Zealand.
“Japan is one of the world’s largest capital markets. In a single meeting yesterday, the Prime Minister and I sat around a table with senior executives from a handful of Japanese institutions who between them control more than US$2 trillion in capital,” said Mr Newfield.
Japan is New Zealand’s 5th largest trading partner with two-way trade totalling $9.9 billion in the year to December 2023 and foreign direct investment worth $8.1 billion. Japan’s highly developed economy is the 4th largest in the world and one of the biggest consumer markets globally.
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Chief Executive, Peter Chrisp, said: “Japan represents significant export and investment potential for New Zealand businesses. This mission reinforced why Japan is one of our most important trade partners and why we are focussed on boosting our connections in Japan as we continue to support the Government's ambition to double the value of exports in the next ten years."
The business delegation programme was led by New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and included ASB, Air New Zealand, ANZ, ANZCO, Auckland Uniservices, Aurecon, Christchurch International Airport, Eastland Group, Fabrum, Fonterra, Geo40, GNS Science, Japan New Zealand Business Council, Kono, Morrison, Ngāi Tahu Tourism, NZ INC, New Zealand Rugby Commercial, NZ Super Fund, Pan Pac Forest Products, Rocket Lab, Seequent, Silver Fern Farms, STILL, Tatua Co-Operative Dairy Company, Tāwhaki National Aerospace Centre, Tourism Holdings Limited, University of Canterbury and Zespri.
IMAGE: Members of the business delegation with Prime Minister Christopher Luxon: [L-R] Paul Newfield, CEO, Morrison; Dame Therese Walsh, Chair, Air New Zealand and ASB; Prime Minister Christopher Luxon; Sir Peter Beck, CEO, Rocket Lab; Antonia Watson, CEO, ANZ.
