European Union - New Zealand Business Summit (European Union in New Zealand)

European Union – New Zealand Business Summit

It was a real privilege to MC the inaugural top-level EU–New Zealand Business Summit – a standout event that brought together an incredible line-up of leaders and thinkers, including Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and EU Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.

The discussions throughout the day reflected just how far this partnership has come. The EU–NZ FTA has exceeded expectations, and there is real growth in innovation and collaboration through Horizon Europe. As Minister Todd McClay put it: “In just over one year, we have proven that when Europe and New Zealand work together, extraordinary things happen.”

For me, the best sign of momentum was the buzz and energy in the room. The level of conversation between the almost 500 delegates showed there’s a genuine desire to do more together. Getting everyone back in the room after the breaks required some finely tuned diplomatic MC timing of its own!

Huge congratulations to Ambassador Lawrence Meredith and his entire team for pulling off something so exceptional. A refreshing and energising day that showed both the European Union and New Zealand how far we’ve come, and how much opportunity there is to do more. #EUNZTrade #StrongerTogether

Summit Agenda & Video Catch Up

	Thursday 23 October – The Maritime Room, Princes Wharf, Auckland
5:30 – 7:00pm	Mihi Whakatau (traditional Māori welcome) Opening words from Hon Todd McClay, Minister for Trade and Investment and Hon Damien O’Connor, Opposition Spokesperson for Trade, former Minister of Trade and HE Lawrence Meredith, Ambassador of the European Union Followed by Opening Reception
	Friday 24 October – EU-NZ Business Summit, Viaduct Event Centre, Auckland
07:15	Registration and breakfast
08:00	Call to gather by Master of Ceremonies, Tim McCready
08:05	Opening Address – Prime Minister of New Zealand Rt Hon Christopher Luxon
08:15	Fireside chat with Prime Minister of New Zealand Rt Hon Christopher Luxon Hosted by Fran O’Sullivan ONZM, Managing Director, NZ INC
08:40	Coffee & Networking
09:10	Video: Trade Partnership from New Zealand Story
09:13	Address: Hon Tama Potaka, Minister of Māori Development
09:23	Address: Hon Dr Shane Reti, Minister of Science, Innovation and Technology
09:33	Video: Innovation Spotlight on Agritech
09:35	Address: Hon Todd McClay MP, New Zealand Minister for Trade and Investment
09:45	Address: Maroš Šefčovič, European Union Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security
09:55	Fireside chat with Minister McClay and Commissioner Šefčovič Hosted by Simon Bridges, Chief Executive, Auckland Business Chamber
10:20	Panel – From the ground up – trust builds growth – Katherine Rich, CEO, Business New Zealand – Jason Te Brake, CEO, Zespri – Niall Browne, CEO, Dawn Meats Facilitator: Felicity Roxburgh, Executive Director, New Zealand International Business Forum
10:50	Panel – Powering Change – Clean Tech and Renewable Innovation – Camille Hanna, VP Sales, Global Carbon Solutions, SkyTree, – Mark Hoskins, Chief Revenue Officer, Fabrum – Reuben Tucker, Managing Director, Institutional & Business Banking, Westpac New Zealand Facilitator: Tara Druce, Trade Commissioner, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
11:20	Address: Hon Simon Watts, NZ Minister, Climate Change and Energy
11:30	Coffee & Networking
12:00	Video: Innovation Spotlight on Bioeconomy
12:05	Address: Hon David Seymour, Deputy Prime Minister
12:15	Panel – Building What’s Next: Investment and Infrastructure – Mark Baker, CEO, BESIX Watpac – Guido Cacciaguerra, Executive Vice President Infrastructure, We Build – Julien Guéry, Development Director, VINCI Highways – Rene Piil Pedersen, Managing Director A.P. Moller Singapore Pte. Ltd., Maersk Facilitator: Stephen Jacobi, Chair, NZ/EU Free Trade Agreement Domestic Advisory Group
12:50	Lunch and networking
14:00	Quickfire with Central and Eastern Europe – Estonia – Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Estonian Parliament – Croatia – Ivan Hudaly, Managing Director of Podravka Australia – Poland – Paweł Pudłowski, Deputy Chairman of the Board, Polish Investment and Trade Agency – Slovakia – Matej Michalko, Chief Executive Officer, Decent Cybersecurity Facilitator: Simon Bridges, Chief Executive, Auckland Business Chamber
14:20	Panel – the Future is Here: Advanced Tech and AI – Dr Michelle Dickinson, Founder, Matter Workshop – Ludvig Landgren, Managing Director, Ericsson Australia & New Zealand – Blair Oldershaw, Director of Space Systems, Rocket Lab – Tim Williams, Managing Director, Nilo Facilitator: David Downs, Chief Executive, New Zealand Story
14:55	Partnership Plus: Professor Frank Bloomfield, from University of Auckland
15:00	Video: Innovation Spotlight on Digital Health
15:05	Address: Marko Mihkelson, Chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee, Estonian Parliament
15:15	Panel – Aerospace and Defence – Mark Rocket, Chief Executive Officer, Kea Aerospace, and President of Aerospace New Zealand – Stephen Forshaw, Chief Representative, Airbus – Israel Lorenzo Barragán, Executive Managing Director, Navantia Australia – Dr Markus Moeller, Management Board, Business Development and Strategy, OHB Facilitator: Hema Sridhar, Deputy Director, Koi Tū Centre for Informed Futures
15:50	Vision for the Future: Hon Todd McClay and Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič
16:00	Networking Reception

European Union – New Zealand Business Summit (European Union in New Zealand)

Summit Agenda & Video Catch Up

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