How to unlock your New Zealand export advantage

Unleash the power of your New Zealand connection, to take your business to the world.

3 minute read

When it comes to exporting, New Zealand businesses share a unique advantage. Our national brand is a powerful platform that comes with extensive resources, connections, and support.

The New Zealand brand opens doors

New Zealand is a country that’s renowned for our values (caring for people and place), being transparent, and easy to do business with. This is a great starting place for exporters. And when it comes to the specific reputation of our exports, we have a well-established, quality reputation in agriculture, as well as fast-growing profile in technology and creative industries. New Zealand’s association with quality is so strong, that an established presence at home is respected internationally too, because we are well known for being a country with high standards.

The way we do business matters

While it can be expensive to travel, building meaningful face-to-face relationships goes a long way, just like it does at home. Our spirit of Manaakitanga (showing respect, generosity, and care) is well received by other cultures. If you can travel to new markets, you might consider hosting a classic Kiwi BBQ to bring your New Zealand values and identity to life for new connections and contacts. However, if travel isn’t an option, you can still make an impression with the free creative tools (including high quality images and videos) available through NZTE. These can be incorporated into presentations and video meetings.

Our collective is our power

Often New Zealand businesses are still relatively small when they expand. If you’re on the cusp of export and feeling small, you’re not alone. Why not approach those who have come before you? They will have learned valuable lessons and are usually happy to share them. And, while it might seem counter-intuitive to work alongside competitors, collective power can have a big impact on the world stage. Consider sharing a tradeshow stand, for example, with others in your industry, under a New Zealand banner.

Dive into the support on offer

From your local chamber of commerce to the plethora of government organisations under the NZ Inc umbrella, there are multiple ways to access advice, resources, tools, funding, contacts, and more. This NZTE page is a great place to start.

It may also be in your interest to explore the FernMark Licence program. A licence to bear the FernMark is formal government recognition of your connection to New Zealand. It clearly communicates your country of origin to consumers around the globe.

However you get to your export destinations, be sure to use your ‘New Zealand Business passport’ to full effect. At BNZ we have supported thousands of export customers. We know that when our national brand, and the support behind it, is fully leveraged, businesses experience a smoother landing and a more successful long-term experience.

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This article is solely for information purposes and is not intended to be advice with respect to any matter discussed in it. If you need help, please contact BNZ or your professional adviser. Neither BNZ nor any person involved in the material accepts any liability for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising out of the use of, or reliance on, all or any part of the content. References to third party websites are provided for your convenience only. BNZ accepts no responsibility for the availability or content of such websites.