Hon David Parker, Minister for Trade and Export Growth, delivers keynote address
“Minister Parker’s visit to Korea along with a trade delegation is a reflection of the thriving growth and business partnerships that exist between our two countries,” remarked New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Philip Turner. “It provides a spur for further growth and collaboration and contributes to our ongoing efforts to increase the profile of New Zealand’s activities here in Korea.”
(From left to right) Kim Kijune, Director General for FTA Negotiations; Han Duck-soo, Former Prime Minister; Hon David Parker, New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth; Dr. Tony Garrett, Chairman of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea; Philip Turner, New Zealand Ambassador to Korea; and Park In-gu, Vice Chairman of Dongwon Group
The Kiwi Chamber and the New Zealand Embassy welcomed keynote speaker Hon David Parker, Minister for Trade and Export Growth, who took centre stage for the 2019 Year End Grand Hui with a passionate speech on “Korea and New Zealand – A Modern Partnership for Challenging Times.”
The Minister’s visit comes 12 months after Korean President Moon Jae-in visited New Zealand to meet with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. It also follows recent visits by the New Zealand Governor-General, Hon Dame Patsy Reddy, who visited Korea a month ago to name the HMNZS Aotearoa – New Zealand’s largest naval vessel built in Ulsan – and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters’ visit for talks on shared interests and closer cooperation.
Dr. Tony Garrett, Chairman of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea
After welcoming guests to the year-end event, Dr. Tony Garrett, Chairman of The Kiwi Chamber, acknowledged the Kiwi Chamber’s numerous sponsors, including Platinum Sponsor ANZ Bank, Gold Sponsors Dongwon and Fonterra and the event sponsors, who helped make the Grand Hui a great success.
Dr. Garrett then introduced His Excellency Philip Turner, who as part of his remarks showed an inspiring video entitled “Inside Stories Ingenuity,” which showcases a multitude of New Zealand innovations that have been shared with the world.
Philip Turner, New Zealand Ambassador to Korea
The video was a great segue for Hon David Parker, who spoke on the state of the partnership between Korean and New Zealand today – one where opportunity exists for a whole lot more to be accomplished together.
Hon David Parker, New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth, delivers keynote address
Minister Parker emphasised the strong nature of the relationship between the two countries – one of long-standing friends who share a critically important set of values which make them natural partners.
He noted that the trade relationship between Korea and New Zealand is in excellent shape with considerable untapped potential for partnership. Almost five years after implementing the Korea-New Zealand FTA, bilateral trade has increased by 25% to NZ$5 billion, underpinned by strong growth of New Zealand food and beverage exports.
Korea and New Zealand have also enjoyed successful collaboration in areas such 4D technology, health robotics, agritech, digital film technology and joint Antarctic research, and in emerging areas like the hydrogen economy.
New Zealand is one of the best places in the world to sustainably produce and supply “green hydrogen,” and over 80% of New Zealand’s electricity is sustainably produced from hydro, geothermal, solar and wind. Korea, with its hydrogen technology development in the automotive sector, is a great partner for cost-effective green hydrogen as it aims to overcome its challenges in moving toward sustainable energy. Prior to the Grand Hui, Minister Parker presented a Letter of Intent to Korea’s SEA LH2 Consortium on behalf of the New Zealand Government and a consortium of New Zealand energy companies to signal intent to collaborate on developing trade in green hydrogen.
Following the Minister’s speech, a waiata – a traditional Māori song which is sung to mark important events – was performed to honour the trade minister by the visiting trade mission delegates and the members of the New Zealand Embassy in Seoul.
Trade mission delegates and members of the New Zealand Embassy in Seoul sing a waiata – a traditional Māori song which is performed to mark important events.
One of the highlights of the evening came when Minister Parker presented Kiwi Chamber scholarships to two students from Songjukwon Girl’s Residence to study English in New Zealand. The annual scholarships, which are part of an overall initiative to support the girl’s residence, are sponsored by The Kiwi Chamber, ANZ Bank, New Zealand Embassy, Grand Hyatt Seoul and Education New Zealand.
Hon David Parker, New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth (third from left), Philip Turner, New Zealand Ambassador to Korea (second from right) and representatives from the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea, Grand Hyatt Seoul, Education New Zealand and ANZ Bank present New Zealand Study Scholarships to two students from Songjukwon Girl’s Residence.
“Having Minister Parker present the scholarships as part of our education initiative was very special,” said Dr. Tony Garrett, chairman of the Kiwi Chamber. “What an honour for the young students, as New Zealand is an excellent place to study with over 7,000 young Koreans currently studying there.”
To conclude formalities, Dr. Garrett welcomed Han Duck-soo, Former Prime Minister to Korea and Park Ingu, Vice Chairman of Dongwon to the stage for welcome toasts.
Han Duck-soo, former Prime Minister, offers congratulatory toast
Park In-gu, Vice Chairman of Dongwon Group, offers congratulatory toast
To usher in 2020, Dr. Garrett called the new Kiwi Chamber Board Members to the stage to formally introduce them and pose for what has become a chamber tradition – the annual Year End Grand Hui Board Photo.
New Kiwi Chamber Board poses at 2019 Year End Grand Hui
The Hui, a traditional Māori social gathering, was attended by over 300 dignitaries from the public and private sectors and included a New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE)-organised trade delegation with 12 top business leaders representing some of New Zealand’s signature companies.
The Ministerial-led trade delegation covering key sectors including food and beverage, tech and hydrogen energy came to Korea on Air New Zealand’s inaugural Auckland to Incheon flight on November 23. Air New Zealand now offers non-stop return flights between Auckland and Seoul Incheon.
The 2019 Year End Grand Hui was an overwhelming success and guests were offered a New Zealand-themed culinary experience that included world-class Babich wines. A lucky draw featured prizes from key sponsors Singapore Airlines, Grand Hyatt Seoul, Ecostore, Courtyard Seoul Namdaemun, Park Hotel Yeongdeungpo Seoul, Bacardi and a Sky Pension stay, among many others. All proceeds from the lucky draw will be used to support The Kiwi Chamber’s annual charity initiatives.
2019 Year End Grand Hui
