Ethnic Xchange Symposium

11 October 2024

The Ministry for Ethnic Communities’ inaugural business symposium explored how the public and private sectors can work in partnership to unlock the potential of ethnic businesses for the benefit of New Zealand.

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About the event

Boosting Innovation, Trade and Investment

The inaugural Ethnic Xchange business symposium was dedicated to unlocking the full potential of ethnic businesses for the benefit of New Zealand. Discussions focused on trade, investment and innovation, including how ethnic businesses can support New Zealand’s trading aspirations. This includes their expertise in navigating offshore markets and international business environments.

Speakers included government Ministers and officials, business leaders, industry experts, innovators, investors and entrepreneurs. Participants had the chance to influence and be informed by the architects of national and local business policies, and to gain insights into regulations and decision-making. They shared their challenges, ideas and hopes.

The symposium showcased the economic benefits that ethnic communities bring to New Zealand. It highlighted case examples in tech, clean energy, sustainability and AI. It also explored the practical steps that are needed to remove barriers to ethnic businesses making a bigger contribution to New Zealand’s economy.

Ethnic Xchange featured multiple networking opportunities for participants to connect with trade and investment partners, entrepreneurs, experts and government. It was a chance for people to expand their networks, find investment opportunities, or capture insights into the latest trade and innovation trends. It was an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow.

Find out more about Ethnic Xchange 2024.

Read the Ethnic Xchange 24: Key Insights and Pathways to Action report (PDF, 3MB)

Speakers

Meet the speakers

Ministerial Speakers

Minister for Ethnic Communities

Hon Melissa Lee

Minister for Regulation

Hon David Seymour

Minister of Finance

Hon Nicola Willis

Minister of Science, Innovation & Technology

Hon Judith Collins

Host, MC and Facilitators

Host & Chief Executive, Ministry for Ethnic Communities

Mervin Singham

Host

Chief Executive, Financial Services Council

Kirk Hope

Chair ASEAN Business Council

Kathleen Morrison

Director Government Relations and Advisory, Ministry for Ethnic Communities

Fazleen Ismail

Business and public sector leader

Ziena Jalil

Co-MC

Partner, KPMG

Bineeta Nand

Co-MC

Panellists

CEO, Auckland Chamber of Commerce

Simon Bridges

Director, Tiaki Capital

Kenneth Leong

Founder of EmoEx, AI

Will Zhang

Founder, Tāmaki Health Group

Ranjna Patel ONZM QSM JP

Chief Executive, Ministry for Business, Innovation & Employment

Carolyn Tremain

Chief Executive, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

Peter Chrisp

Founder & CTO of RUSH

Danushka Abeysuriya

Head of Financial Services, Google NZ

Natalie de Boursac

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

David Wang

Head of Asia Business Activation, BNZ

Franky Wang

Board Chair, KPMG

Matt Prichard

Country Head - New Zealand, Tata Consultancy Services

Priti Ambani

CEO, New Zealand Airline Academy

Jonathan Manuel

Partner/ Head of Mortgage, Global Financial Services

Aseem Agarwal

High Commissioners

High Commissioner of Malaysia to New Zealand

Her Excellency Ms. Mazita Marzuki

High Commissioner of Singapore to New Zealand

His Excellency William Tan

Charge d'Affaires a.i., High Commission of India

Mukesh Ghiya

*Accurate at the time of publication. Subject to change.

Programme

Explore the programme for the symposium

Registration
19:00
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.
Doors Open & Welcome
20:00
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.
Opening remarks
20:15
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 speech
20:17
The Opening Speech by Hon Nicola Willis will commence, highlighting
the Coalition Government’s vision and goals to grow New Zealand’s economy.
Session 1 - Making the boat go faster
20:30
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)
Morning Tea and Networking
21:15
Morning tea and networking.
Session 2 - International trailblazers
22:00
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 3 - Taking the Leap - Inspiring stories from ethnic entrepreneurs
23:15
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
Lunch and Networking
00:00
A networking lunch will be served at 1.00pm.
Brief Word from a sponsor - Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
01:00
Session 4 - Trade winds
01:05
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.
Break
02:00
This session will offer attendees the chance to have a quick break and navigate to the respective workshop locations.
Scaling Up – Advice for NZ businesses - expansion and AI
02:10
Breakout session 1:
New business frontier: Powering with and investing in AI.
The panel will discuss the following:
- 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?
Panellists:
- 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)
Breakout session 2:
Advice on how NZ businesses can expand locally or globally.
Panellists:
- Franky Wang, Head of Asia Business Activation, BNZ
- Aseem Agarwal, Partner/Head of Mortgage, Global Financial Services
- Matt Prichard, Board Chair, KPMG
Panel will discuss the following:
- 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.
Closing remarks
03:20
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.
Transmission
03:30
The participants head outside to the private sector-sponsored cocktail networking event.
Networking Event
03:45
Opening speech by Hon Minister Lee (Economic Development, Ethnic Communities Assoc ACC). Cocktails and networking.

Gallery

Photos from the event

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83 Symonds Street, Grafton, Auckland 1010

View location

Event venue

Hosted at the Cordis in Auckland

11 October, 2024

Main programme: 8am - 4.45pm

Networking: 4.45pm - 6pm

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Contact

Event enquiries

ethnicxchange@ethnicccommunities.govt.nz

Media enquiries

media@ethniccommunities.govt.nz

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The Ministry for Ethnic Communities is the chief advisor to the government on ethnic diversity and inclusion in New Zealand society.