World Class New Zealand Network summit

Media Release

March 31, 2009

World Class New Zealand Network summit

Heavyweight global Kiwis eager to help New Zealand firms prosper and grow

More than 80 business leaders from home and abroad are meeting tomorrow morning to identify practical ways talented Kiwis can use their global expertise and networks to improve the growth and competitiveness of New Zealand firms.

Ahead of the World Class NZ Awards in Auckland tomorrow night, the summit aims to leverage the expertise and international networks of New Zealand’s best and brightest to find ways to make New Zealand a better place to live and work.

Chaired by Kea New Zealand’s global chairman Stephen Tindall and chair of AucklandPlus, Michael Barnett, participants will focus on some of the challenges identified by last month’s Job Summit.

Summit attendees, many of whom are part of Kea’s World Class New Zealand Network, will identify ways they can use their expertise and networks to help New Zealand to:
·         Build more flexibility into tertiary education to help New Zealand adapt to demands for new skills and grow international education as a New Zealand industry.

·         Maximise New Zealand’s international connections and profile by developing Auckland as an international city and leveraging the Rugby World Cup 2011 for New Zealand business.

·         Help local firms survive the global recession and attract more international investment into the country.

Stephen Tindall says he is confident the summit has the potential to help find answers to some of the critical challenges currently facing New Zealand.

“We can all identify huge opportunities if we, as individuals, put up our hands and use our expertise, talent, networks and passion to grow our nation’s skills and help Kiwi companies compete on the world stage,” says Tindall.

The World Class New Zealand Network promotes the country's growth and development by tapping into the knowledge, expertise and networks of world-class New Zealanders and 'friends of New Zealand' around the globe.

Summit participants include:

·         Chris Liddell, CFO Microsoft

·         Diane McCarthy, CEO of the Royal Society

·         Paul Callaghan of the McDiarmid Institute

·         Craig Nevill-Manning, Director of Engineering at Google New York

·         Craig Lamberton, Managing Partner for BDO Spicers

·         Jane Hunter of Hunter Wines

·         Andy Grant, Royal NZ Navy Commander

·         Dr. Kerry Spackman, Formula One Elite Performance Coach

·         John Hackett, Chair of AJ Park

·         Justin Vaughan, CEO of NZ Cricket

·         Ray Avery, founder of Medicine Mondiale

·         Rod Drury, founder and CEO of Xero

·         Mai Chen, Chen Palmer New Zealand Public Law Specialists

·         Oscar Kightley, artist and film producer

Tomorrow’s summit is being hosted in partnership with Auckland’s regional economic development agency AucklandPlus.

The summit is the precursor to the annual World Class New Zealand Awards, now in its sixth year, which recognise individuals who characterise New Zealand’s success on the world stage.

Prime Minister John Key will present the Supreme Award at 10pm tomorrow night.

About Kea and the World Class New Zealand Network

Kea exists to help New Zealanders and New Zealand firms to connect with and leverage the knowledge and contacts of the many talented New Zealanders around the world. Kea’s global network now has 25,000 members, with membership consistently growing at over 20 per cent each year.

The World Class New Zealand Network has identified a common passion for helping New Zealand excel in education, science and helping New Zealand firms to succeed in overseas markets.

They are actively helping New Zealand compete and succeed through policy advice to ministers and government departments, industry specific expert advisory groups and advice, support and mentoring for high potential individuals and companies.

The World Class New Zealand Network is managed by Kea New Zealand in partnership with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

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