The Annual Gala Dinner was held at the Wintergarden of the exclusive Northern Club in Auckland. There were approximately 130 attendees, who also had networking opportunities over a four-course meal. Minister of Parliament Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-Iiga was invited to be the keynote presenter at the Annual Gala Dinner. He is the Minister of Local Government, Minister for Ethnic Communities, Minister for Pacific Peoples, and Associate Minister of Health. The Minister spoke about the importance of New Zealand’s business ties with Hong Kong and Greater China, and the wealth of cultural and business benefits provided by the strong, and growing relationship.

We also conducted a Silent Auction at the Annual Gala Dinner, in which all proceeds were donated to the Neonatal Trust, a charity that works to provide, and coordinate, support to families of neonatal (premature or sick full-term) babies. With the help of our sponsors Cathay Pacific and the Langham Auckland (who donated a return flight to Hong Kong and a stay at the hotel respectively) as well as other parties, this year we raised approximately NZD 3,000 for the Trust.

We would like to thank our sponsors for making this evening possible: Cathay Pacific Airways, The Langham Auckland, HSBC, InvestHK and HKETO.

For more photos please visit our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/hknzba/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1218364934893548

Photo Credit: Hillie Chan

Hong Kong Festival – Annual Gala Dinner

The Hong Kong Festival 2017 Annual Gala Dinner was held in the Crystal Ballroom at The Langham Auckland on Thursday 17 August. There were over 100 attendees, who enjoyed networking opportunities over a three-course meal.

This year our celebrity guest speaker was Sir Gordon Tietjens. Sir Gordon is a motivational speaker and led New Zealand’s domination or rugby sevens throughout the 1990s and 2000s, including, of course, many exciting victories in Hong Kong. He spoke about how team sport culture can transfer across into the workplace and outlined the talent employers look for when recruiting in business. He was able to bring a good mix of business and sport examples in a thoroughly engaging and thought-provoking speech.

We also conducted a number of silent auctions, in which all proceeds went to CanTeen, a charity that focuses on the needs of young people living with cancer

HKNZBA would like to give a special thank you to the continued and generous support of our sponsors. Firstly, we would like to thank The Langham for providing the venue for our Auckland Business Seminar and Gala Dinner. We would also like to thank Cathay Pacific Airways for the donation of a flight ticket in support of our silent auction. Lastly, we thank the “Hong Kong Family”, namely Hong Kong Economic Trade Office, Invest Hong Kong and Hong Kong Trade Development Council for their continued financial support.

Please refer to our Facebook page for photos.

Hong Kong Festival Business Seminar

On Tuesday 15 (Auckland) and Wednesday 16 August (Wellington), we welcomed Mr David Whitwam, Chairman of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, speak to guests about: a) the new government in Hong Kong following 1 July inauguration; b) the Bay Area initiative which will integrate Hong Kong further into the Pearl River Delta; c) how Hong Kong fits into the Belt and Road Initiative; and d) the HK2030+ plan.

David began the seminar by introducing some names of the HKSAR, including Hon. Carrie Lam, Hon Matthew Cheung, Hon Paul Chan and Hon Rimsky Yuen. Most of his presentation was then focused on the colocation of immigration, namely the Hong Kong – mainland rail link, its located checkpoints and its law enforcement issues.

David also introduced some key elements of the HK2030+ plan, such as the HKIA third runway, the Hong Kong Macau Zhuhai Bridge and the East Lantau Metropolis. He also briefly touched on the Belt and Road Initiative, which promotes market integration and forges ties between economies, by way of people-to-people bonds, policy coordination, financial integration, facilities connectivity and unimpeded trade. His main message for us was “the Belt and Road is not going to come to New Zealand, we have to go to the Belt and Road”.

Ms Bonnie Shek, Director, Australia & New Zealand, Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC), Dr Luca De Leonardis, Head of Investment Promotion for Australia and New Zealand, Invest Hong Kong, and Ms Rachael McGuckian, Trade Commissioner – Hong Kong & Macau, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, also presented at our seminars.

Dr De Leonardis gave an introduction about InvestHK, the department within the HKSAR Government responsible for Foreign Direct Investment, supporting overseas and Mainland entrepreneurs, SMEs and multinationals to set up or expand their business in Hong Kong.

Ms McGuckian gave an overview of NZ Inc and NZTE in Hong Kong. She also shared the stories of two companies that were successfully able to enter the Hong Kong market with NZTE’s assistance. The first, “Eat The Kiwi,” is a produce company based on a chef centric model, supplying what chefs want, where and how they want it. The second case study looked at Liverton Technology Group, which builds high integrity software and hardware.

Ms Shek gave an overview of HKTDC, the Hong Kong statutory body established in 1966 to assist international companies and investors to explore and enter new markets on the Chinese mainland and throughout Asia.

After the presentations, attendees had the opportunity to meet our guest speakers and network with other attendees over drinks and finger food.

Please refer to our Facebook page for photos.

Business Seminar with Professor Siah Hwee Ang

On Wednesday 5 (Auckland) and Thursday 6 July (Wellington), we welcomed Professor Siah Hwee Ang, The Bank of New Zealand Chair in Business in Asia at Victoria University of Wellington, speak to guests about China’s role in the global economy.

Professor Ang shared insights into how China has come to the forefront on the world economic stage since it became the largest trading nation in the world, and the pivotal role Hong Kong plays in China’s success in the international arena.

Please see our Facebook page for photos.

Belt and Road Initiative Seminar

HKNZBA, in conjunction with HKTDC, hosted a Belt and Road Initiative Seminar on Wednesday 31 May to promote how New Zealand companies could potentially take advantage of the opportunities provided by the Belt and Road Initiative.

We invited a panel of speakers to share their insights into the opportunities brought by the Belt and Road Initiative. Mr Simon Draper, Executive Director of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, and Mr Colum Rice, representing the New Zealand China Council, both attended  the Belt and Road Summit in Beijing in May; , and Mr Kirk Hope, Chief Executive of BusinessNZ, shared his perspective on the possible influence of the Belt and Road Initiative in New Zealand.

HKNZBA Annual General Meeting

On Wednesday 22 March, we held our AGM in the Chandelier Room at the Langham Hotel in Auckland. The formalities of the AGM were followed by networking and cocktails in which attendees had the opportunity to meet our new Executive Committee for 2017.

Attendees were also invited to enter a lucky draw to win 1 of 2 Cathay Pacific Return Economy Class Tickets from Auckland to Hong Kong.

Captain Graham Lindsay from Cathay Pacific was our guest speaker for the AGM. He introduced the features of Cathay Pacific’s new A350 aircraft and shared his 21 years of experience as an aircraft and training Captain. We would like to thank Captain Graham Lindsay for such an eye-opening speech!

We would also like to extend our thanks to our sponsors, everyone who attended and everyone who helped out at the AGM.


Wellington Yum Cha Networking Lunch

We are hosting our first Yum Cha Networking Lunch of 2017 in Wellington on Wednesday 22 February, and we’d love for you to join us. This is a great opportunity to network with members of our organisation in a relaxed and casual environment over traditional Chinese tea and dim sims.

Please refer to the invitation below for more information and RSVP via email to hk@hongkong.org.nz by Friday 17 February.

Christmas Party 2016

HKNZBA hosted a Christmas Party on 8 December at Kensington Swan. The mood was festive as there were many cool prizes up for grabs.
 
We would like to thank HSBC, The Langham, Auckland, Cathay Pacific Airways, Kensington Swan and NZTE for donating the prizes. Special thanks to Kensington Swan for hosting the party.
Please see  our Facebook page for photos

Breakfast with Mr Raymond Tam (Auckland)

HKNZBA members had the opportunity to attend a breakfast seminar with Mr Raymond Tam, Secretary for Constitutional and Mainland Affairs of HKSAR Government.

Mr Tam is the minister who oversees the implementation of the Basic Law, a constitutional document of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and matters relating to elections, human rights and access to information.  He is also responsible for promotion of closer ties and cooperation with the Mainland of China, including liaison between the HKSAR Government and the relevant Mainland authorities, regional cooperation initiatives between Hong Kong and the Mainland, and operation of the HKSAR Government’s offices on the Mainland.

Mr Tam shared insights on how Hong Kong can play a role in China’s economic and social development under the 13th Five-Year Plan and the Belt and Road Initiative. Attendees also had an opportunity to ask Mr Tam questions and to speak to him personally after the event.

HKNZBA would like to thank HKETO for their sponsorship.

Please see our Facebook page for photos.