Kiwi Chamber & New Zealand Embassy Korea Welcome Hon David Parker for 2019 Year-End Grand Hui

Trade and Export Growth Minister's speech focused on ‘Korea and New Zealand – A Modern Partnership for Challenging Times’

kiwi chamber new zealand embassy korea grand hui year end seoul hon david parker

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. 

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 the strong growth of New Zealand food and beverage exports.

Korea and New Zealand have also enjoyed successful collaboration in areas such as 4D technology, health robotics, agritech, digital film technology, and joint Antarctic research, and in emerging areas like the hydrogen economy.

kiwi new zealand chamber embassy grand hui
(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; 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 

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.  Earlier today 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.

Digital Marketing Agency

“Minister Parker’s visit to Korea along with 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 at the event. “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.”

Minister Parker also presented Kiwi Chamber scholarships to two students from Songjukwon Girl’s Residence to study English in New Zealand. “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.”

kiwi new zealand chamber embassy grand hui seoul korea

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.

During the evening, 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, Barcardi and a Sky Pension stay, among many others.

The Minister and the visiting delegation 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.