2012 Transit of Venus Forum, Gisborne, New Zealand

On the 5-8 June 2012 Gisborne will host this unique event to mark the meeting of cultures which took place 250 years ago on New Zealand's East Coast. This was in 1769 shortly after James Cook completed his scientific mission in Tahiti: the measurement of the Transit of Venus.  Goods were exchanged at Uawa, Tolaga Bay, as gestures of goodwill, but also out of necessity, so it was the beginning of overseas trade. The association between the forum and the rare occurrence of the Transit of Venus is symbolic, but it is underlined by  the sub-title of the Forum: Lifting our Horizon.

Professor Sir Paul Callaghan and partners are staging a forum in Gisborne to inspire thinking about New Zealand’s future prospects, based on a realistic, science-based appraisal of our current situation.  Sir Paul Callaghan has brought together a very significant  group of New Zealanders for this event.  Exporters and those involved in international trade will be especially interested to see that Sir Ray Avery (entrepreneur and exporter), Dr Rick Boven (Director of the NZ Institute thinktank), and Peter Chrisp (CEO of New Zealand Trade & Enterprise) are all on the programme which can be found at:  http://www.royalsociety.org.nz/events/2012-transit-of-venus-forum-lifting-our-horizon/speakersprogramme/
The website itself is well worth looking at with video clips outlining Sir Paul's vision. Watch the website and this blog for more information.

Apple exports from New Zealand - decline!

In my two posts about our holiday to Germany and the United Kingdom, I mentioned the fall in apple exports from New Zealand.   An article in the Dominion Post for Thursday 4 August, 2011 (Page C1), goes some way to explaining what is happening.

Some of the points outlined by Jon Morgan were:

• Growers must change the industry's strategy and alter the way they market their fruit
• New Zealand's apples are sold to an unknown destination, with fruit going through two hands in Europe before finishing up in the UK
• All four major supermarket chains in Britain are supplied, but the apples go through many service providers to get onto the shelves in the high street
• We are not promoting the New Zealand brand but rather numerous independent brands

As a result of this very bleak picture 'bankers and international consumers were starting to question the industry's viability.'

These solutions were given:

• One point of entry for the majority of Braeburn apples going into the UK
• Using collective shipping
• Promotion of "Brand New Zealand" rather than a myriad of brands which were not necessarily obvious as from New Zealand
• Eliminate marginal apple varieties
• Get the marketing right for entry into the new Australian market

Is there an apple exporter among our readers who would like to comment?

Who Exports to China?

Ever wondered who exports to China?  There are obviously many New Zealand companies who are, but whom we don't hear about.  The New Zealand School of Export has compiled a preliminary list of small and medium enterprises who are currently exporting to China.   It is available on the FREE Downloads page at:

http://www.export.ac.nz/freedownloads.html

If you can add to the information on this list, your information would be gratefully received.

Exporting to Oz?

Here is a great little article: "A few small tips for New Zealand companies about the Australian market" from Businesstalk - http://businessblogs.co.nz

Blogging on Exportersblog

The Exportersblog (send your suggestions for a superior name to info@export.ac.nz please) will enable you to have a voice and connect with other people and ideas.

There will be a minimum of comments from the Specialist Advisers - it is YOUR opportunity to:

- ask questions

- offer opinions and tips on course-related topics

- offer opinions on the world of international trade - the exchange rate, FTA with China, etc.

- share links to useful sites

- share a photo and profile of yourself and the kind of exporting you are engaged in

- post photos you've taken on export topics - logistics, marketing and markets

- alert others to forthcoming events

- share experiences and more

Your blog is not open to others to read and post comments. Bloggers are expected to conform to the Content boundaries as set out in the Blogger Content Policy at www.blogger.com/content.g

We at the New Zealand School of Export have set the scene (literally) and hope you will use this opportunity to have 'an exporters common room'.

Graeme