PM to launch initiative to grow a nation of storytellers

Prime Minister to launch initiative to grow a nation of storytellers

15 August 2018, New Zealand – New Zealand is a nation full of great stories. Growing a nation of storytellers who can tell those stories is the theme of tonight’s ‘New Zealand’s Inside Stories’ launch. The launch event will be attended by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, in one of her first official engagements back in office.

Prime Minister Ardern will be joined by Kiwi actor Cliff Curtis to discuss the important role of storytelling in expanding New Zealand’s reputation to create and grow opportunities for all New Zealanders – and the role values place in an increasingly uncertain and competitive world.

Cameron Harland, Chair of NZ Story says, “The New Zealand Story programme is strongly aligned with this Government’s ambition to create a productive, sustainable, and inclusive nation. With an emphasis on integrity, ingenuity and kaitiaki, the programme tells a story of New Zealand that is aspirational – yet also true.”

The New Zealand Story was inspired by the fact New Zealand already has a positive country reputation, but our full story is often left untold, making it challenging for our people and businesses to gain the advantage they need to succeed in a competitive global environment.

In a competitive global economy, reputation matters. Retaining a strong and relevant image of New Zealand is important to maintain our voice and influence in global matters, promote trade, attract investment, tourism and talent, and encourage cultural and scientific exchange.

“Our goal is to promote New Zealand’s reputation beyond natural beauty and make us known for more good things,” says Harland.

“Today is an important milestone as New Zealand Story releases a new series, called New Zealand’s Inside Stories. These stories enable New Zealand businesses and government agencies to leverage the positive value of being from New Zealand and gain a stronger voice and competitive advantage in international markets.”

New Zealand Story interviewed expats and everyday Kiwis, as well as world-famous fans of New Zealand, such as Hollywood actress Bryce Dallas Howard and Bollywood heart-throb Sidharth Malhotra. The interviews uncovered their own authentic perspectives on New Zealand’s unique contribution to the world, along with stories about our food and wine, culture and invention, technology, business, kaitiakitanga and creativity.

New Zealand’s Inside Stories are a fresh way of sharing our New Zealand Story and this will continue to evolve; new episodes will be created as more people are interviewed. Some episodes will dial up people or topics more relevant in certain markets. Yet all the stories will be bound together by our consistent New Zealand values.

Harland says “We have not set out to create one single story. Our ambition is to create a nation of storytellers so that over time New Zealand becomes known for more than the sum of its parts.”

“Together, we can build our country’s global reputation and grow opportunities for all New Zealanders by sharing our stories and each becoming a #NZStoryteller,” says Harland.

About Inside Stories

Watch the Inside Stories series here:
• Inside Story Global Film https://vimeo.com/272122361
• Inside Story Ingenuity Film https://vimeo.com/272122654
• Inside Story Food & Beverage Film https://vimeo.com/272122130

The Inside Stories films and other content can be downloaded from the New Zealand Story toolkit: www.nzstory.govt.nz

About New Zealand Story Group
The New Zealand Story Group has been set up to enhance New Zealand’s reputation beyond natural beauty. In a competitive global economy, reputation matters. And it’s important for a country like ours, with an economy that relies on the strengths of its exports, to continue to grow and diversify. The more we can do to ensure we’re all telling a broad, compelling and aspirational story about New Zealand, that’s grounded in our values and resonates with the world, the greater chance we have of attracting people to all that we offer. Put simply, we need to make New Zealand famous for more good things.

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