nz minister for tourism

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New zealand tourism board.

Manaakitanga Aotearoa

Tourism New Zealand is the organisation responsible for marketing New Zealand to the world as a tourist destination.

• develop, implement and promote strategies for tourism
• give advice to the Government and the tourism industry.

Hon Matt Doocey

Minister for Tourism and Hospitality

René de Monchy

Chief Executive

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Last updated 20 December 2023

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Industry groups welcome new Tourism Minister Peeni Henare…

1st February 2023 By Paul Yandall | [email protected] | @tourismticker

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Government reveals plan to make tourism a more appealing career option.

Minister of Tourism Stuart Nash has unveiled a vision of how to strengthen the tourism and hospitality workforces and improve conditions.

The plan is centred on nurturing the tourism workforce including providing better training and conditions. (File pic) Photo: Destination Queenstown

Historically, the tourism and hospitality industries have been viewed as offering low wages, long hours and uncertainty, and have struggled to attract and retain staff.

Today Nash launched the draft Better Work Action Plan as the first phase of the Tourism Industry Transformation Plan , opening it for public consultation.

The core focus is to develop a regenerative industry that nurtures and invests in its people as its foundation.

The report said that without a thriving workforce, New Zealand will not have a thriving tourism industry.

The plan was developed by a partnership between the government, industry, union and Māori, known as the Industry Transformation Plan Leadership Group.

It outlines key actions to improve the sector including a Tourism and Hospitality Accord to set employment standards, adopting technology to better future proof the industry and improve workers' experiences, and developing cultural competency.

Other areas it focuses on include improving training and education to ensure the workforce can meet the demands of the rapidly evolving industry, increase awareness and effectiveness of existing tools to support businesses, and using seasonal fluctuations in demand to upskill people and provide more consistent work.

Tourism Minister Stuart Nash says technology can help bolster the tourism industry. Photo: RNZ / Samantha Gee

"New Zealand is one of the top tourism destinations in the entire world, and as we recover from the pandemic, it is the perfect time to set out a new vision for tourism in our beautiful country, so that the sector can rebuild better, with a stronger focus on a more resilient and regenerative future," Nash said.

"Our work with the Tourism ITP is to challenge the perception of a career in tourism from being one with low wages, long hours and uncertainty to one of aspiration, fulfilment and with attractive career pathways.

"It identifies challenges and sets out actions to overcome them, including improving education and training, providing more resources for business owners and operators, and enabling better work through innovation and technology."

Nash said the pandemic has exacerbated some challenges in tourism businesses, but they existed before Covid-19.

"Now our borders are fully open, there's a strong uptick in arrivals, and we're anticipating a surging summer of tourism," he said.

"It's time to look ahead to the future of the sector and ensure we do not just go back to the way things were, but learn from the challenges of the past few years and rebuild in a stronger and more sustainable way.

"The action plan sets out a vision for the New Zealand tourism sector that is regenerative - where tourism is giving back more than it takes from people, communities, and the environment."

He said the success of the plan relied on continued partnership.

The closing date for feedback is 14 September.

The ITP Leadership Group will consider the feedback and hopes to release the final action plan before the end of the year.

Copyright © 2022 , Radio New Zealand

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Tourism New Zealand is a Crown entity governed by a board. Our executive team works with our global whānau to deliver on our purpose and objectives.

Our Role & Purpose | Tourism New Zealand

By 100% Pure New Zealand

Board      Executive      Media

Paul Brock, Chair

Paul has a strong background in governance, management, growth business development, brand development and marketing. His extensive background in the financial services industry has also included Kiwibank Co-Founder and then Chief Executive along with senior management positions with Westpac and Trust Bank.

Paul is currently Chair of the New Zealand Story Group, Foley Wines and the Innovation Programme for Tourism Recovery Advisory Panel. He is also Chair of Chubb Life Insurance New Zealand, a director of Southern Sky Dairies and a Council Member of Massey University. He started as the Tourism New Zealand Board Chair on 1 July 2023.

Kauahi Ngapora, Deputy Chair

Ngāi Tahu (Ngāti Kurī of Kaikōura), Waikato-Tainui (Ngāti Hauā/Ngāti Māhanga)

Kauahi is Chief Operations Officer of Whale Watch Kaikōura Ltd has 31-years’ experience across a range of roles focused on business, customer experience, tourism & travel, operations, governance, Māori and maritime.

He is currently a Director of Whale Watch Australia Pty Ltd and member of the Kaikōura Marine Guardians. He was the founding Chair of Destination Kaikōura, a past Director of Tourism Industry Aotearoa, and panel member on the Tourism Infrastructure Fund.

In 2018 he was privileged to be awarded the Outstanding Māori Business Leader Award at the University of Auckland’s Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards. Kauahi was appointed to the board in September 2018 and deputy chair in October 2022.

Colleen Neville

Ngati Maniapoto, Waikato-Tainui

Colleen is a chartered accountant with extensive experience in diverse sectors including tourism, forestry, Agribusiness, property, and health services. 

Recent roles have included Chief Executive Officer of Te Arawa Group Holdings Ltd which had complemented her expertise in Māori post-settlement governance entities (PSGEs), Māori incorporations and Māori land trusts.

Her governance experience includes Scion (NZ Forest Research Institute Limited), Poutama Trust (business development services to Māori), Te Ohu Kaimoana (independent audit and risk member and director of portfolio management services), Te Kakano Whakatipu Ltd (Forestry), Te Arawa Agribusiness Ltd, Te Arawa Tourism Ltd, Matai Pacific Iwi Collective (Kiwifruit) and Waikato Tainui (Audit & Risk member).

Jan was previously Chair of Skyline Enterprises and board member of the Jumping New Zealand, Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, Chair of Destination Queenstown.

She was also General Manager of Millbrook Resort, Sky City Hotel & Convention Centre, and Millennium Queenstown. Jan was appointed to the New Zealand Tourism Board in June 2017.

Steve Chadwick QSO

Steve is a former Member of Parliament for Rotorua and from 2013 to 2022, the Mayor of Rotorua. As Mayor of Rotorua Lakes Council, Steve was a strong influence on Rotorua Lakes Council’s new way of doing business through the Rotorua 2030 Vision.

Under her leadership the council established a meaningful and ground breaking partnership with Te Arawa and secured significant partnership investment to enable iconic place-making projects. Steve’s career in Central Government began in 1999 and spanned twelve years, including three years as a List MP.

During this time, she held the portfolios of Associate Minister of Health, Minister of Conservation and Minister of Women’s Affairs. As Minister of Conservation, Steve advocated for the opening up of the Conservation Estate – believing that access, without leaving a footprint should be the ultimate goal. Her proudest achievements include sponsoring the Smoke free Environments Act and securing funding ($72 million) for the clean-up of Rotorua lakes.

In recent years, in addition to her mayoral responsibilities, Steve has chaired the Federation of Primary Health Aotearoa since its inception in 2018, was Co-Chair of the New Zealand Tourism Futures Taskforce from June 2020 to early 2021, and since 2018 has been on the Board of the Responsible Camping Working Group.

Jacqui Walshe

Jacqui is a dual New Zealand and Australian citizen and the long-term leader of The Walshe Group. The Walshe Group has provided dedicated airline and destination representation services to some of the world’s leading travel brands for over 40 years in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore and Hong Kong.

Jacqui holds a Bachelor of Business Studies, an MBA and is a qualified member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Jacqui is a member of Chief Executive Women Australia and Global Women NZ. She has had over 20 years’ experience as a Non-Executive Director in the travel and tourism, financial services and Not-For-Profit (aboriginal and youth services) sectors.

Jacqui is the former Deputy Chair, and Chair of the Audit & Finance committee, of the Australian Tourism Export Council; served as a member of the Tourism Restart Taskforce in Australia, commenced in response to Covid-19 and international border closures; and was a member of the Ministerial Advisory Council for the Minister of Trade, Tourism and Investment in Australian Federal Parliament (2020-2022) as tourism industry representative.

In 2022, Jacqui was awarded the Captain Trevor Haworth Outstanding Contribution by an individual to the Australian Tourism Export Industry.

Amanda Butler

Amanda is a commercial executive who has extensive experience within the FMCG sector across Australia and New Zealand. These have included Director, Global CEO and General Manager roles within global bluechip multinationals, private enterprise and healthcare.

Amanda also holds governance positions in various sectors including Health and Conservation with sub-committee responsibilities in IT/Cyber and HR/Remuneration. Amanda is experienced across ANZ in governance and management, with a particular focus on organisation transformation, brand growth and marketing communications. Amanda is an active member of the Australian and New Zealand Institute of Company Directors. Amanda was appointed to the board in August 2022.

Leah McDonald

Leah is the board secretariat. Email [email protected] to get in touch with any Tourism New Zealand board member.

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René de Monchy, Chief Executive

René de Monchy joined Tourism New Zealand in August 2015 bringing 20 years' global experience in consumer-led businesses, including local and international marketing roles for Fonterra and Heineken and Asia Pacific Breweries in Singapore.

René was appointed Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand in April 2021.

Prior to this, he was Tourism New Zealand's Director Commercial. In this role, René led a team across 15 offices in 14 countries responsible for identifying key markets and audiences for travel to New Zealand. René also led the development of Tourism New Zealand's aviation strategy to guide partnerships with international airlines.

René is passionate about the tourism sector and active in tourism industry engagement, undertaking regular speaking engagements and panel discussions.

He is currently a member of five boards or panels:

• Tourism Industry Aotearoa
• New Zealand Screen Production Grant Significant Economic Benefits Verification Panel
• New Zealand Story Board
• New Zealand China Council
• Qualmark New Zealand Limited.

Bjoern Spreitzer, General Manager New Zealand & Business Events

Bjoern has been with Tourism New Zealand for the past 14 years, currently as recently as General Manager New Zealand & Business Events.

Prior to this he was General Manager Domestic, Global Manager Planning and Partnerships, and General Manager Americas & Western Europe.

In his current role, he's responsible for domestic marketing activity, Business Events, Qualmark and industry partnerships.

Angela Blair, General Manager International

Angela joined Tourism New Zealand in August 2022. Angela is a strategic marketing leader with over 20 years’ global experience across business-to-business and business-to-consumer marketing. 

Working for organisations such as Restaurant Brands, Vodafone and APN, where she developed creative marketing programmes with a commercial focus.

Prior to joining Tourism New Zealand, Angela was a member of Restaurants Brands New Zealand Executive team.

In her current role she is responsible for the delivery of marketing activity in offshore markets and aviation partnerships.

Brendan Downey-Parish, General Manager Insights, Performance & Technology

Brendan joined Tourism New Zealand in January 2016, and in 2022 was appointed to the role of General Manager Insights, Performance and Technology.

He has significant marketing and innovation expertise across the beverage, food, and consumer goods sectors in New Zealand and internationally, including seven years with Fonterra in the Middle East.

Brendan's currently responsible for insights, digital analytics, performance analytics, business planning, platform development and delivery.

Brodie Reid, General Manager Marketing

With over 15 years’ experience in brand storytelling and marketing communications, Brodie's responsibilities today include global brand strategy, marketing content, trade, social and digital experience, marketing planning and global partnerships.

Brodie comes from a background in the brand, creative and advertising sector. She worked as the Tourism New Zealand Brand and Content Manager, and prior to that at multiple advertising agencies both here and in London. She's worked with global brands such as Heineken, Toyota, Air New Zealand, Coca-Cola, Westpac and Nestle.

Natalie Haines, General Manager, People & Corporate Affairs

Natalie brings more than 16 years of people and culture experience to Tourism New Zealand, following senior HR roles at Oranga Tamariki and Contact Energy.

Responsible for leading our people, government relations and corporate communications functions, she has a strong background in organisational change, as well as capability and culture development.

Karl Burrows, General Manager – Pou Ārahi Māori 

Karl joined Tourism New Zealand in November 2022. Karl is a descendant of iwi of Taranaki and Whanganui. Karl founded and was the Managing Director of Haka Works, an international business sharing Māori knowledge on team culture and leadership, and Manaia, a London based kapa haka company. 

Prior to this, Karl worked as a lawyer in New Zealand and London.  The General Manager Pou Ārahi Māori role is responsible for leading Tourism New Zealand’s rautaki Māori and sustainability approach which includes guiding organisational cultural capability and confidence. 

Duane Trembath, Chief Financial Controller

Duane joined Tourism New Zealand in January 2023. Duane (Whakatōhea te iwi) is an experienced leader, having worked for TVNZ and marketing led international organisations such as Estée Lauder Companies and L’Oréal. 

The Chief Financial Officer role is responsible for ensuring best use of funds, financial stability and compliance.

Leah McDonald, Executive Assistant to Chief Executive

Leah joined Tourism New Zealand in 2008 and in 2012 was appointed to the role of Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive and Board Secretariat.

Before joining us, Leah lived in Florida, London and Sydney. She has supported senior executives across various sectors, including Australia’s leading medical defence organisation as well as the largest housing association in the United Kingdom.

If you're a New Zealand-based journalist with a media query, please contact:

• Paul Ford, Communications Manager 021 220 8031 or [email protected]
• Jess Harkins McCann, Senior Communications Advisor 021 631 845 or email [email protected]
• Chelsea Cormack-Wright, Senior Communications Advisor 021 221 4627 or email [email protected]

For international media or content creators, if you want to work with us please contact us via our international media website (opens in new window) .

Got an Official Information Act request? Please email:

• [email protected]

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Tourism On The Table For Pacific Ministers’ Meet-up

Hon Matt Doocey Minister for Tourism and Hospitality

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey will meet with Trade and Tourism Minister of Australia Don Farrell and Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica in Rotorua this weekend for a trilateral tourism discussion.

“Like in New Zealand, tourism plays a significant role in Australia and Fiji’s economy, contributing massively to both national GDP and employment,” Mr Doocey says.

“This time together is an opportunity to discuss our shared priorities for our tourism sectors and what we can do, independently and together, to address the emerging challenges and opportunities in the Pacific region.

“Australia is New Zealand’s closest neighbour and largest tourism source market. With just under 1.3 million visitors, Australia accounted for over 40% of all international arrivals to New Zealand in the year ending June 2024.

“Fijians are also strong contributors to New Zealand’s tourism economy, in the year ended June 2024, over 43,000 Fijians visited New Zealand.

“Australia and Fiji have always been connection points between New Zealand and the rest of the world, as countries with a close, long-standing relationship I am looking forward to discussing what we can do to support our shared tourism priorities.”

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Tourism on the table for Pacific Ministers’ meet-up

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey will meet with Trade and Tourism Minister of Australia Don Farrell and Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica in Rotorua this weekend for a trilateral tourism discussion.

“Like in New Zealand, tourism plays a significant role in Australia and Fiji’s economy, contributing massively to both national GDP and employment,” Mr Doocey says.

“This time together is an opportunity to discuss our shared priorities for our tourism sectors and what we can do, independently and together, to address the emerging challenges and opportunities in the Pacific region.

“Australia is New Zealand’s closest neighbour and largest tourism source market. With just under 1.3 million visitors, Australia accounted for over 40% of all international arrivals to New Zealand in the year ending June 2024.

“Fijians are also strong contributors to New Zealand’s tourism economy, in the year ended June 2024, over 43,000 Fijians visited New Zealand.

“Australia and Fiji have always been connection points between New Zealand and the rest of the world, as countries with a close, long-standing relationship I am looking forward to discussing what we can do to support our shared tourism priorities.”

Note to editor: Minister Farrell holds the office for Trade and Tourism of Australia. Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica is the Minister of Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications for Fiji.  

We advise the government on resetting and rebuilding tourism on a sustainable and regenerative model of tourism. Regenerative tourism is about giving back more to people and places than it takes. It actively enriches our communities and helps protect and restore our environment. We provide support to the sector as it navigates difficult times, and we provide policy advice to support its recovery.

Tourism recovery

Aotearoa New Zealand’s tourism industry has been greatly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The government has provided broad-based and targeted support to the industry since the pandemic began. You can read about the support at the links below.

• Tourism Industry Transformation Plan
• 2021 support - Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery and Re-set Plan
• 2020 support - Tourism Recovery Package 
• Tourism Futures Taskforce

Tourism projects

Find out about key projects designed to strengthen and build long term sustainability in the tourism sector in Aotearoa New Zealand.

• Supporting sustainable freedom camping in Aotearoa New Zealand
• Destination Management Guidelines
• Ngā Haerenga New Zealand Cycle Trails
• Supporting Māori Tourism
• Government’s Tourism Snapshot

New Zealand-Aotearoa Government Tourism Strategy

The New Zealand-Aotearoa Government Tourism Strategy is more important than ever as we welcome visitors back to New Zealand. The Strategy sets out a more deliberate and active role for government in tourism.

• Ngā manuhiri o te ao, o Aotearoa anō hoki — International and domestic visitors

Tourism funding

Investment in quality infrastructure and tourism assets helps creates positive economic, social and environmental benefits for New Zealanders, and our visitors.

• International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy
• Responsible camping
• Regional Events Promotion Fund
• Closed tourism funds
• Tourism Data Partnership Fund

Subscribe to tourism sector alerts

Join our mailing list to receive the latest Tourism information and news on government funding initiatives and other support for tourism.

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https://www.mbie.govt.nz/immigration-and-tourism/tourism Please note: This content will change over time and can go out of date.

September 20, 2024

NZ Government

Tourism on the table for Pacific Ministers’ meet-up

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Matt Doocey will meet with Trade and Tourism Minister of Australia Don Farrell and Fiji Deputy Prime Minister Manoa Kamikamica in Rotorua this weekend for a trilateral tourism discussion.

“Like in New Zealand, tourism plays a significant role in Australia and Fiji’s economy, contributing massively to both national GDP and employment,” Mr Doocey says.

“This time together is an opportunity to discuss our shared priorities for our tourism sectors and what we can do, independently and together, to address the emerging challenges and opportunities in the Pacific region.

“Australia is New Zealand’s closest neighbour and largest tourism source market. With just under 1.3 million visitors, Australia accounted for over 40% of all international arrivals to New Zealand in the year ending June 2024.  

“Fijians are also strong contributors to New Zealand’s tourism economy, in the year ended June 2024, over 43,000 Fijians visited New Zealand.

“Australia and Fiji have always been connection points between New Zealand and the rest of the world, as countries with a close, long-standing relationship I am looking forward to discussing what we can do to support our shared tourism priorities.”

Note to editor: Minister Farrell holds the office for Trade and Tourism of Australia. Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica is the Minister of Trade, Co-operatives, Small and Medium Enterprises and Communications for Fiji.  

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Cabinet reshuffle: What the tourism industry wants from new minister Peeni Henare

Tourism has one key message to new minister Peeni Henare: Please listen.

The previous two ministers in the Labour Government had the misfortune of being in office during the depths of a pandemic and struggled to connect with an industry on its knees.

One industry insider says the Government has had an awkward relationship with tourism and is not surprised the portfolio is being passed down the Cabinet rankings.

“They knew they had to have it but it was only paid attention when everything else wasn’t going so well. If we stay out of recession this year, it will only be because of tourism,” he said.

Henare follows Kelvin Davis and Stuart Nash. Davis introduced the Strategic Tourism Assets Protection Programme – later found by the Auditor General to have serious deficiencies and kept a low profile in the portfolio before the pandemic. Nash was unpopular with some operators in Auckland in particular as they were hardest hit by Covid lockdowns, and while apparently a strong advocate for the industry in Cabinet, this wasn’t always strongly communicated.

His message about getting more “high-quality tourists” into the country was diverted by comments about “two-minute noodle” eating visitors and defecating freedom campers.

“He (Nash) put his foot in it with a few of his ideas about backpackers and other things. There’s been various task forces and plans but nothing has really happened. The danger of another minister was another change of direction,” said the insider who did not want to be named.

Tourism Export Council chief executive Lynda Keene welcomes Henare’s appointment as an opportunity for a fresh start and besides listening to the industry she says this country needs to make everyone welcome.

“Every visitor to New Zealand has always been a high-quality high-value visitor. It is not a cheap destination to get to or travel around,” she said.

“This premise that we were only targeting high net worth or high-quality visitors is a bit of a red herring.”

Backpackers can be repeat visitors, returning three or four times in their lifetime including with families and as big-spending retirees.

“We’ve got to be very careful about definitions. There was a suggestion you’re telling prospective visitors around the world that you’re not welcome and that’s what we’ve got to shift up with our messaging,” said Keene.

Henare was Labour’s tourism spokesman for a year from 2014 and has been an Associate Minister of Tourism since 2019. “He’s really connected through the Māori tourism network so it’s not a new thing for him at all and we’re excited about that. He immediately gets the whole Kaitiakitanga (guardianship) and Manaakitanga (hospitality) aspects of tourism that we’ve been trying to bring through for the last 20 years. It’s a good appointment.”

Before the summer peak, international visitor arrivals topped 231,000 in November last year, up from just 5000 a year earlier. Arrivals for the month were 62 per cent of the pre-Covid number in 2019 and traditional markets in what was New Zealand’s biggest foreign exchange earner are recovering, with Australia coming back fastest.

Keene said that while the industry has rebounded this summer, there are still a lot of problems and the floods over the past week have compounded them.

“It was out of response mode from the pandemic but was in the very early stage of the recovery stage. Businesses were tired in November because of the workforce shortages,” she said.

“They take so much pride in what they do. I they don’t have a full workforce they know there’s going to be some gaps, creaks and groans in what they do. It is this pride that has added this stress to the industry because they just want to do their best.”

Tourism businesses needed quick solutions to the labour crisis which has forced hotels to limit the number of rooms they sell and restaurants to turn down bookings, especially in hotspots such as Queenstown.

“We need the Government and officials to listen to the ideas that the private sector has – we have this depth of experience that can really help the Government,” she said.

“We don’t make suggestions because we’ve just thought about them on the fly. We’ve been through all these highs and lows of these crises that we’ve been through in the past. Hopefully a few more of our ideas can be picked up.”

Stephen England-Hall, a former Tourism NZ boss and now chief executive of big South Island operator, Real NZ, also urges the new minister to get out and about.

“I’d encourage him to get out there, meet the operators and get to know the different groups in tourism, not just the large operators and the associations to find out where the pressure points are.”

As the world and New Zealand faces a period of economic retraction or recession, tourism and travel are forecast to grow through it, he said.

“New Zealand is a desirable destination, we’ve got great attractions and so how does a government minister lean in to the potential for tourism to leverage that and double down on it over the next year?”

He also says there’s danger in labelling visitors high-quality or high-value.

“Someone who is a backpacker may be a critical worker in some part of our economy – just because they choose a particular style of travel doesn’t mean to say they’re low value,” he said.

Someone who flew in here in a private jet to stay in a luxury lodge for a week may not consume any local produce, may not leave the place and spend much at all. The tourism portfolio has slipped from high Cabinet ranking Davis to Nash at 11 to Henare at 15.

England-Hall says every government forms itself around its philosophies, policies and ideals.

“I think tourism hasn’t necessarily been at the top of their agenda. I don’t think it’s any less important to New Zealand or the economy,” he said.

“The visitor economy will do well – I’m uncertain about how a cabinet ranking will affect that.”

Keene said New Zealand had missed an opportunity for having globally recognised former prime minister Jacinda Ardern taking on the tourism portfolio, as John Key did when he was PM.

“I think she would have been a great tourism minister.”

If National’s leader and former Air NZ boss Christopher Luxon became prime minister later this year, the Tourism Export Council would urge him to take the portfolio.

“When a prime minister goes offshore they are representing NZ inc and a tourism minister can showcase our wonderful food, produce and innovation so it does make sense.”

Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Rebecca Ingram welcomed Henare’s appointment and said the sector had the potential to make a very important economic contribution to New Zealand if our workforce can recover.

“The weather events being experienced in the upper North Island are putting additional strain on an industry already under immense pressure and has further highlighted the critical workforce need.”

The industry needed “dynamic immigration” settings that enabled it to compete globally for skilled people, especially as New Zealand will co-host the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup with Australia this year, and Chinese visitors return.

“While operators have a clear preference for hiring New Zealanders the reality is we’re seeing very few applicants for the many roles advertised – noting that pay rates have increased substantially across all role types.”

Comment has been sought from Henare about his plans for the portfolio.

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Visit to New Zealand

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Today I will travel to Aotearoa-New Zealand to advance Australia’s trade and economic relationships in the region.

The Australia-New Zealand relationship is underpinned by generations of friendship, shared interests, and a common outlook as Pacific countries.

I look forward to meeting with New Zealand’s Minister for Trade, the Hon Todd McClay, for our annual Closer Economic Relations Trade Ministers’ Meeting. We will discuss our cooperation on a broad range of important bilateral, regional, and global trade and economic issues.

While in New Zealand, we will be joined by Fiji Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, the Hon Manoa Kamikamica, to discuss the importance of trade and investment across the Pacific.

I also look forward to discussions with New Zealand’s Minister for Tourism and Hospitality, the Hon Matt Doocey, and Deputy Prime Minister Kamikamica, about how we can boost our respective tourism industries, promote more flights, and create a more seamless experience for travellers.

I will meet with some of Australia’s top businesses and exporters operating in New Zealand to discuss new trade and investment opportunities as part of the Australia-New Zealand Business Leadership Forum.

After more than 40 years of our trade agreement with New Zealand, our economies are some of the closest in the world, and I look forward to discussing the ways we can advance the interests of businesses, workers, and communities in our region.

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