Registration will take place from 8.00am, providing attendees with an opportunity to check in, receive event materials, and network with fellow participants. Please arrive early to ensure a smooth start to the event.

Registration

Doors will open at 9.00am, welcoming attendees to the event. A brief welcome address will follow, setting the stage for the day's activities and providing an overview of the event's programme.

Doors Open & Welcome

The event will officially begin with the purpose of the symposium, by Hon Melissa Lee, Minister for Ethnic Communities and Minister for Economic Development. She will introduce the day's speakers and sessions including the opening keynote speaker, Hon Nicola Willis, Minister of Finance.

Opening remarks

The Opening Speech by Hon Nicola Willis will commence, highlighting
the Coalition Government’s vision and goals to grow New Zealand’s economy.

Opening speech

Making the boat go faster: What can the government and ethnic businesses do to create more prosperity for New Zealand? An interactive 45-minute sofa-style interview session.

Ministers will outline their key portfolio priorities for growing NZ’s economy, focusing on growing trade relationships, boosting exports, improving the regulatory environment for businesses and supporting businesses’ innovation and use of new technologies to increase their productivity.

Facilitator: Kirk Hope CE Financial Services Council
Speakers: Hon Melissa Lee (Economic Development, Ethnic Communities, Assoc ACC), Hon David Seymour (Regulation, Assoc Finance) and Hon Judith Collins (Science, Innovation and Technology)

Session 1 - Making the boat go faster

Morning Tea and Networking

International trailblazers - Showcase of diaspora entrepreneurs in action. This session will explore:
(1) How to grow NZ’s economy through offshore opportunities.
(2) How to attract overseas investment to NZ.
(3) The core support available for businesses to help them grow and thrive.

This session includes 30min audience Q&A.

Facilitator: Kirk Hope, CE Financial Services Council

Speakers: Simon Bridges, Auckland Business Chamber; Priti Ambani, Tata Consultancy Services; Kenneth Leong, Tiaki Capital; Carolyn Tremain, Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment; Peter Chrisp New Zealand Trade & Enterprise

Session 2 - International trailblazers

The objective of this session is to share three case studies of successful NZ ethnic businesses. Three entrepreneurs will share their inspiring stories about taking opportunities and overcoming barriers. Follow in their footsteps to success by putting sustained effort into breaking new ground! 

Facilitator: Chair ASEAN Business Council Kathleen Morrison
Speakers: Ranjna Patel (Business Hall of Fame 2024); Will Zhang, founder of EmoEx AI entrepreneur; Jonathan Manuel, CEO, New Zealand Airline Academy

Session 3 - Taking the Leap - Inspiring stories from ethnic entrepreneurs

A networking lunch will be served at 1.00pm.

Lunch and Networking

Brief Word from a sponsor - Tātaki Auckland Unlimited

The objective of this session is to highlight what the New Zealand government and businesses can do to better support trading relationships with countries.

High commissioners will share insights on what New Zealand businesses need to know about these markets before they expand to include them and how the diaspora can be better leveraged to support Aotearoa’s trading aspirations.

Facilitator: Ziena Jalil, Business and public sector leader

Speakers: Her Excellency Ms Mazita Marzuki, High Commissioner of Malaysia to New Zealand; His Excellency William Tan, High Commissioner of the Republic of Singapore; Mr Mukesh Ghiya, Charge d'Affaires a.i., High Commission of India.

Session 4 - Trade winds

This session will offer attendees the chance to have a quick break and navigate to the respective workshop locations.

Break

New business frontier: Powering with and investing in AI.

- The opportunities and pitfalls that technology entrepreneurs must be aware of in scaling their business.

- Practical tips for businesses and investors keen to expand into the AI tech sector.

- Ways for AI tech companies and investors to link up and create value for customers.

- What are the constraints that businesses need to know in advance?

- Danushka Abeysuriya, Founder & CTO of RUSH

- Natalie de Boursac, Head of Financial Services, Google NZ

- David Wang, General Partner, Co-founder of Migrant Investor & Entrepreneur Association (MIEA)

Advice on how NZ businesses can expand locally or globally.

- Franky Wang, Head of Asia Business Activation, BNZ

- Aseem Agarwal, Partner/Head of Mortgage, Global Financial Services

- Access to capital – how could businesses look to expand and grow and what channels are present.

- Growth strategies – defining opportunities and scaling across unknown markets.

- Product and services development – leveraging partner companies and joint venture opportunities to drive scaling opportunities for product or service-based businesses.

- Governance & risk – the importance of good governance and common pitfalls to avoid.

Scaling Up – Advice for NZ businesses - expansion and AI

Closing remarks by Mervin Singham, Chief Executive, Ministry for Ethnic Communities. A summary of the day’s key takeaways, acknowledgements and addressing future opportunities, collaboration and events.

Closing remarks

The participants head outside to the private sector-sponsored cocktail networking event.

Transmission

Opening speech by Hon Minister Lee (Economic Development, Ethnic Communities Assoc ACC). Cocktails and networking.

Networking Event

Ethnic Xchange 25: Going for Growth – Expanding Ethnic Enterprises (EX25) is the Ministry for Ethnic Communities’ second annual business symposium. Aligning with the Government’s Going for Growth agenda, the event is designed to support the progression of ethnic entrepreneurs, innovators and businesses by focusing on global trade and connections, innovation, AI and investment.

EX25 will focus on practical strategies to overcome barriers to economic growth and enhance New Zealand’s global competitiveness. Participants will explore business trends, discover tools to help them succeed, and learn about government initiatives in trade, investment and innovation.

Hear from and connect with industry leaders, global innovators, business experts, international delegates, senior government ministers and officials. Discover ethnic entrepreneurs and innovators and find out how they are contributing to New Zealand’s economy. EX25 also provides unique networking opportunities with hundreds of New Zealanders who share a vision for empowered economic growth. 

Register today to secure your spot. Last year’s event sold out, and tickets are limited, so get in quick!

Discover insights from our inaugural Ethnic Xchange symposium in 2024, watch a highlight video and hear what some of our panellists had to say about the event on the 

MEC EX webpage

Ticket sales are utilised to recover all costs related to the delivery of the Symposium only.

The Ministry for Ethnic Communities’ annual Ethnic Xchange Symposium is New Zealand’s premier business event focused on ethnic entrepreneurs, innovators, businesses and the markets they are connected to.

Join the Ministry for Ethnic Communities’ inaugural business symposium. Be part of the conversation

Ethnic Xchange Symposium

14 November 2025

Speakers

More speakers announced soon!

Ministerial speakers

Host

Panellists

Programme

Coming soon!

Supported by

Gallery

Photos from Ethnic Xchange 2024 (EX24)

Event venue

Hosted at the Cordis in Auckland

Contact