Latest Newsletter - June 2024

Read the full newsletter here which includes

Trade news

NZ-UK Free Trade Agreement celebrates one year since entry into force

On 31 May, Minister for Trade Todd McClay and British High Commissioner Iona Thomas got together to celebrate the one year anniversary of the New Zealand – United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement. Since the FTA entered into force exports to the UK have grown by 19 percent making the UK now New Zealand’s fastest growing market. In May, officials from MFAT and the UK Department for Business and Trade held the inaugural Joint Committee that oversees the operation of the agreement to continue to develop the growth in trade links. Read more about the FTA here. 

NZ ratifies UK's accession to CPTPP

On the 4th June the New Zealand government ratified the United Kingdom’s Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) Accession Protocol. This brings the UK a step closer to joining CPTPP with Japan, Singapore and Chile having already completed this ratification process. To find out more about CPTPP see MFAT’s CPTPP webpage here. 

MFAT report: Opportunities in the UK Space Sector

According to a recent MFAT report the United Kingdom government is embracing a more proactive approach to developing and directing its space sector, recognising the role that space technology plays in economic growth, national security, and resilience, as well as in addressing global challenges including climate change. You can read this report here.   

MPI Consultation on food labelling to increase export competitiveness

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is currently undertaking a consultation to resolve the issue for food exporters that occurs when New Zealand requirements for composition and/or labelling differ from the importing country’s requirements. Currently exporters are required to submit an application to MPI to have their  export exempted from New Zealand composition and/or labelling requirements to meet the importing country requirements.  MPI however are now proposing 4 options to remove this trade barrier and are seeking the views of exporters on which option better enables food exporters to be competitive with other major food exporting countries such as Australia, Canada and Europe. Submissions are due by 26 July 2024 and there is more information and the submission template here. 

BNZBA Member News

KiwisInSTEM in the UK holds launch event

KiwisInSTEM is a new community that aims to support the ever increasing numbers of Kiwis working in STEM in the United Kingdom. KiwisInSTEM has four goals: 

•  Form connections between New Zealanders working in STEM within the UK
•  Broadcast new opportunities to our members through shared contacts
•  Demonstrate our technical talent to the world
•  Maintain strong connections with New Zealand

KiwisInSTEM are partnered with the NZUK Link Foundation which has championed relationships between New Zealand and the UK for over 30 years. The Link foundation has, over time, forged strong connections in the UK with the wider Kiwi expat community. Thanks to the presence of both the New Zealand and UK High Commissioners as honorary trustees, it is also uniquely positioned within the New Zealand community in the United Kingdom.
New Zealand is blessed with a world-class education system that produces an abundance of ambitious and well-educated minds working in STEM. Many of us go abroad to pursue opportunities that aren't available back home. However, if New Zealand is to become a thriving techno-economy, we need to help the expat community maintain and develop connections back home, while supporting them to learn skills and make contacts which will help their careers flourish. In recent years, New Zealand's association with Horizon Europe and the signing of the Research, Science and Innovation Arrangement with the UK show the New Zealand's government desire for greater transnational cooperation within STEM. KiwisInSTEM hopes to support this collaboration at a foundational level. With a successful soft launch in Cambridge, and a larger kick off event in London in July (details to be announced), KiwisInSTEM is well placed to help Kiwis in both the United Kingdom and in New Zealand.
If you'd like to keep up to date with KiwisInSTEM, you can subscribe to receive notifications on their website here.

Andrew Barnes awarded ONZM Honour

Congratulations to longstanding member Andrew Barnes for being made an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the recent King's Birthday Honours List. Andrew who founded Perpetual Guardian was honoured for his contributions to business and philanthropy, including his advocacy of the reduced work hour philosophy 4 Day Week - Global

Eden Park wins two awards against very strong global competition

Congratulations also to Eden Park which was recently announced as the winner of two categories at  TheStadiumBusiness Awards in Manchester. The stadium jointly received the Event of the Year award for the FIFA Women's World Cup™ 2023 (alongside Accor Stadium) and also won the sought-after Venue of the Year title. Regarded as the leading awards for the industry, TheStadiumBusiness Awards 2024 recognises leadership, innovation and achievement across global stadia. Eden Park triumphed over formidable competition in both categories, winning against a record number of entries.

HOME Recruitment specialising in transitioning Kiwi talent back home to New Zealand

HOME Recruitment are specialists in the transition of Kiwi talent back home to New Zealand following time spent overseas. We partner with our clients who are seeking an untapped pipeline of “fresh to market” talent who are moving home to Aotearoa. These candidates are internationally experienced and eager to join ambitious and top tier New Zealand businesses.
HOME are currently representing;

• A punchy and tenacious HR Advisor, who is moving home following time in Australia and the UK. Having worked in a variety of industries, she loves a fast paced, high volume environment and loves to get stuck into all elements of the HR function. Happy to be sole HR lead, or work as part of a team – she’s been personally referred and will be immediately available from July 2024 for circa $80k.
• An Operational Team Leader – who has 5 x years working in a highly reputable Executive Search firm in Central London. She's returning to Wellington in August and seeking an opportunity within a Workplace Experience / Operational Team Leader position. Open on industry, she's best suited to financial or professional services given the level of stakeholders she's used to managing. Available from $110k.

To give you a flavour of some other positions we’re currently representing, you can keep an eye on our live roles here. Planning on moving to the UK? You’re able to see what our London based team, Australasian Recruitment Company are recruiting here. If you’re wanting any further information on HOME Recruitment (Auckland based) or Australasian Recruitment Company (London based) you’re able to reach New Zealand Director, Minta Holton on minta@homerecruitment.co.nz.

Turner & Townsend publishes its International Construction Market Survey 2024

This survey brings together data, insights and experience across 91 global markets in 42 countries and explores how the industry is performing, the challenges it faces and its future outlook. It highlights that many of the major hubs are still facing inflationary pressures, restricted access to capital and the adverse impact of increased geopolitical tensions. It does however see some green shoots of recovery emerging and a growth in infrastructure investment led in particular by net zero strategies globally. You can read the full report here and watch out for an event on this report hosted by the Auckland team at Turner & Townsend.

FoodHQ acquires the licence for the E Tipu: The Boma Agri Summit from 2025

Members FoodHQ have acquired the licence for the E Tipu: The Boma Agri Summit from 2025 in line with their mission to drive innovation and collaboration in the agrifood industry. The E Tipu: The Boma Agri Summit annually assembles an impressive array of speakers and innovators to exchange groundbreaking ideas, spark essential dialogues, and contribute to the trajectory of New Zealand's primary sectors thereby contributing to both an energetic in-person summit and an immersive digital platform, catering to attendees worldwide. To read the full press release go to their website: foodhq.com 

NZ Visa Connections on recent changes by Immigration NZ

NZ Visa Connections founders Helen and Rebecca Strange use their skills and experience to navigate the New Zealand immigration system and government policies and so are very aware that NZ employers and migrant employees are facing increased scrutiny and changes to the Accredited Employer system. Recently, New Zealand experienced record migration numbers, prompting Immigration New Zealand to utilize a "high-trust" processing model for quicker decision-making. However, this approach resulted in migrant exploitation and a surge in low-skilled migrants. In response, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford announced detailed policy changes in April, placing extra responsibilities on employers and tightening existing obligations. Now, all migrants must meet a minimum skills threshold, with some facing English Language tests.

Examples of changes that could impact your business include:

• Only one work visa permitted, potentially leading to the loss of trained and skilled employees if they are required to leave.
• New definitions of what qualifies as a 'suitable NZ'er', requiring all NZ candidates to be considered under this new definition, removing the employer's ability to choose whom to employ.

As licensed advisers, NZ Visa Connections specialise in navigating these changes, helping you avoid lengthy delays and application issues. Contact us here for further information or assistance. 

Paul Beare Ltd on the tax liability from non resident UK property sales

As per Paul Beare Ltd's recent blog there are special rules that apply to UK property sales by non-residents. Since 6 April 2020 non-residents have needed to report and pay any non-resident Capital Gains Tax (CGT) due if they have sold or disposed of:

• residential UK property or land (land for these purposes also includes any buildings on the land);
• non-residential UK property or land;
• mixed use UK property or land; or
• rights to assets that derive at least 75% of their value from UK land (indirect disposals).

There are penalties for failing to file the required tax return within a 60 day deadline as well as for failing to pay any tax due on time. Read the full article here.

News from the British Council

The British Council is supporting Yuki Kihara, an interdisciplinary artist of Japanese and Samoan descent, to create a new work to be premiered in an exhibition at the Sainsbury Centre in 2025. Titled Darwin Drag, the work continues Kihara’s re-evaluation of twentieth century European figures from a Queer, Indigenous perspective. Supported through a British Council Connections Through Culture grant. A public artist talk will take place on 4 July. Read more about this event here 

The British Council has also supported Dina Jezdic, independent curator, to attend MuseumNext 2024 as a keynote speaker. Dina is an independent curator, creative mentor, art writer and community organiser born in Belgrade but based in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland. Read more here.

News from The King's Trust Aotearoa New Zealand

The BNZBA was delighted to be able to join with the King's Trust Aotearoa New Zealand to celebrate the achievements of a number of the graduates of the Trust's Enterprise Workshop programme. During the evening a number of the young business people were able to promote their businesses to a group of BNZBA members and other guests and in the process receive some useful help and connections to grow their businesses. Click here if you would like to know more about the Trust and some of the young business people it is supporting. 

New Members

This month we are delighted to welcome

- AJ Park
- Forty Thieves

 

Past Newsletters

May 2024 - in this issue

• UK approval to join CPTPP
• NZStory launches new resources
• Member News -  White&Co, Paul Beare, First Capital Financial Services 
• Other news - British Council and King's Trust news
• Read here

April 2024 - in this issue

• MFAT report on UK's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism 
• British Franchise Association hosts webinar on New Zealand franchise opportunities
• Member News -  Vantaset, KPMG, Home Recruitment, 
• Other news - British Council and King's Trust news
• Read here

March 2024 - in this issue

• CPTPP progress, honey export guide
• Using NZ Export credit
• Member News -  HSBC, Oury Clark, Wild in Art, GBPensions
• Other news - British Council and Prince's Trust news
• Read here

February 2024 - in this issue

• UK Gov roadshow, Trade Commissioner video
• Resilientsupply chains
• Member News -  Steens Honey, 4 Day Week, Eleven Thirteen
• Other news - British Council and Prince's Trust news
• Read here

January 2024 - in this issue

• UK Customs changes, UK Gov roadshow
• ISO Net Zero Guidelines
• Member News -  Harmony Energy, Babcock, Cooks Coffee, Eden Park
• Other news - British Council news
• Read here

November 2023 - in this issue

• OCS reaches 10 year milestone
• NZTE offer tips on selling F&B products to the UK
• Member News -  Arup, Tataki Auckland Unlimited, Turner & Townsend
• Other news - British Council news
• Read here

October 2023 - in this issue

• NZTE report on how the New Zealand tech sector is viewed overseas
• The Science Lab at the End of the World
• Member News -  Babcock, Paul Beare, Southern Pastures, Admin Army, Arup, DLA Piper
• Other news - British Council news
• Read here

September 2023 - in this issue

• UK-NZ FTA development on qualifications
• The UK enacts legislation to digitalise trade documentation
• Member News -  Jaguar Land Rover, Hazel Barlow, Emma Lewisham, Paul Beare, Method Recycling
• Other news - British Council news
• Read here

August 2023 - in this issue

• NZTE on selling f&b into the UK
• The UK enacts legislation to digitalise trade documentation
• Member News -  BSI, Babcock, Duncan Cotterill, Turner Hopkins, Cooks Coffee, MinterEllison, 
• Other news - British Council news
• Read here

July 2023 - in this issue

• UK joins CPTPP
• The UK enacts legislation to digitalise trade documentation
• Member News -  Casey Wishart, Qatar Airways, Paul Beare, Turner Hopkins
• Other news - British Council news
• Read here

May 2023 - in this issue

• FTA enters into force 
• The Future of Shipping
• Member News -  Lewis Road Creamery, Paul Beare, Supply Chain Solutions
• Other news - British Council news
• Read here