PEN is a Wellington based volunteer group that seeks to significantly increase the level of NZ's exports to Pacific Island countries. Our aim is to play a constructive role in achieving the export target of the Government's Business Growth Agenda - namely to increase NZ's exports from the current 30% to 40% of GDP by 2025.
We are pleased to announce a series of Pacific video seminars, featuring the ANZ Bank's country managers throughout the Pacific. First seminar will take place on 8 April 2022. It features Bernadette Shaw, the ANZ's Cook Islands Country Manager. Our aim is to hold similar seminars periodically during 2022. They will feature the Pacific Country... Keep Reading
New Caledonia is at the center of a key test over whether Western car makers can sidestep China's dominance over battery power and establish sustainable practices. Tesla, through a partnership with a large New Caledonia nickel mine, will directly source much of the key material, a major step in a broader effort by the company to take control of... Keep Reading
We note with sadness the recent volcanic eruption in Tonga. The latest news from the scene reports that while damage is extensive, it is has not been widespread and that remedial work to get back to "normal" has begun. Some parts of Tonga are much affected, while other parts are not so bad. Aid is expected to start arriving once the airport... Keep Reading
The results of Sunday's referendum indicate a vote for maintaining the existing relationship with France. With the pro independence groups effectively boycotting the election, the 41% voter turnout leaves much still to be determined in this close neighbour of New Zealand. We note that the Melenesian Spearhead Group has rejected the result. We... Keep Reading
The recently released "Defence Assessment" be the Department of Defence provided a candid view of NZ's position in the Pacific. Seems that most of the report focused on the strategic competition faced by NZ and those with an interest in the Pacific from China. The report states concerns about China as "a major driver of geopolitical change" as... Keep Reading
We note in media reports that NZ soldiers and others have been deployed to Honiara to assist the Australian and Solomon Islands defence forces to maintain law and order. We say "here we go again" or will our commitment be short term and successful? An excellent opinion piece is attached to this post which tends to put matters into... Keep Reading
Eleven joined in the 1 December Zoom meeting with David Dewar, the new NZ Trade Commissioner for the Pacific, based in Suva. Details of David's remarks will be posted separately. The meeting proved most helpful for our PEN members in understanding how NZTE plans to operate its Suva presence. Due to Covid 19, David is working from home. He... Keep Reading
What a disappointment to read about the riots in Honiara last week. Most of the city's "Chinatown" has been leveled. This is monumental set back for the Solomon Islands, which will take many years of recovery. PEN will be keeping an eye out for possible opportunities for its members in the months ahead. In particular if ODA money is offered we... Keep Reading
The following recently appeared in the Samoa Observer newspaper:"Our Tongan neighbours went to the polls last week,amid a pandemic and a worse than predicted downturn in the nations already battered economy another issue was front of voters minds - the scourge of hard drugs, Only through good fortune and vigilance have we avoided the Kingdom's... Keep Reading
We rarely learn of prospective constructive developments by the private sector in the Pacific. However, a potential block buster has been announced earlier in the month by Fortescue Future Industries of Australia. The Chairman, Dr Andrew Forrest has signed an agreement with the PNG Government to undertake a feasibility study into a plan to develop. Keep Reading
On 12 December the third referendum on New Caledonia's independence is being held. The previous referendums showed a narrowing of those wishing to remain part of France. This time, the main opposition party has decided not to participate, due to the rapid rise in numbers of Covid 19 cases -10000 cases since September 2021 and 260 deaths mainly... Keep Reading
We await the new Government's announcements on trade initiatives and hope that the Pacific will feature highly. In the last few years, NZ's Pacific exports have remained stationary. There have been few initiatives to encourage a greater focus on the Pacific as other more distant and exotic destinations have won favour (remember the expensive... Keep Reading
We are holding our next event on 4 October at the ANZ Bank, 171 Featherston Street, Wellington. The guest speaker will be Cameron Bargie, Chief NZ Economist at the ANZ Bank. Cameron's role has recently been extended to cover the Pacific region. More details of this event will be issued to members and supporters shortly. Keep Reading
PEN has made significant progress since its inception in June 2013. The support of Minter Ellison Rudd Watts Lawyers has given PEN a major boost. Membership has continued to grow and we now have many supporters likely to become members in 2015. We are still a Wellington based network which has the advantage of being close to key Government... Keep Reading
New Zealand is negotiating a trade and economic development agreement with other Pacific Islands Forum members called PACER Plus. Born of the original Pacific Agreement on Close Economic Relations (PACER) agreement, finalised in 2001, these negotiations were launched by Pacific Leaders at their 40th Meeting in August 2009. Underpinning the ini... Keep Reading
Pacific Exporter's Network