Australia (Common wealth) _ The first all-wāhine (all-women) Trade Mission is set to arrive in Australia, comprised of founders, CEOs, and executives with skills in manufacturing, technology, investing, drinks, sustainability, packaging, and other fields.
The trade mission strives to motivate the next generation of women to achieve their goals by fostering gender equality, diversity, and inclusion. The women in trade delegates will demonstrate how women in export can create economic progress across the trans-Tasman region.
Barbara Edmonds, New Zealand’s minister for economic development, will lead the trade trip to Australia, accompanied by a business delegation of 26 people. The mission, called Whine (Mori for women), focuses on female business leaders and brings together a varied group of female New Zealanders.
Minister Edmonds will be in Melbourne for a number of business engagements, including an event with Aboriginal businesswomen and a meeting with the Governor of Victoria, Her Excellency Margaret Gardner. With our trans-Tasman relationship stronger than ever, now is an excellent time to maintain our trade momentum and provide greater economic certainty for New Zealanders, according to Ms Edmonds.
When our companies decide to start exporting, they frequently turn to Australia first. It is our most important export market, with over 7,200 Kiwis exporting across the Tasman and our partnership worth more than $29 billion in overall trade value last year.
Our visit not only coincides with the top women’s sporting event, the FIFA Women’s World Cup, but it also marks a watershed moment in our business ties. It is the 40th anniversary of Australia-New Zealand Closer Economic Relations, one of the world’s most advanced free-trade accords.
The mission, according to Minister Edmonds, is an opportunity to improve the profile of New Zealand’s export offers and provide commercial value for female exporters. Organizing an all-women trade mission will bring together a varied collection of leaders from a variety of industries, including food and beverage, health goods, technology, and brand and marketing.
The delegation represents the finest of New Zealand innovation, sustainability, and a long-term commitment to community welfare. We’re also fortunate to have a number of Mori and Pacific representatives among us who advocate for indigenous economic growth and constructive change in our region.
Ms Edmonds said, “I’m thrilled to be leading this historic trade mission to show the world what Kiwi women in business can achieve.” The delegation will be in Australia from August 13 to August 17.Women in export can help boost economic progress in the Trans-Tasman region. Former New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern stated that Australia and New Zealand have plenty to be proud of.
I’m thrilled that both a Whine panel honoring female leaders from both sides of the Tasman and New Zealand’s first Whine trade mission are visiting Melbourne.
According to Ardern, these 26 female business leaders represent the diversity of Aotearoa, including Lucy Bennetto, founder and CEO of Bennetto Natural Foods, Nu’uali’I Eteroa Lafael, founder and CEO of Fibre Fale, and Fiona Bycroft, founder and CEO of electric propulsion technology company, Naut.
Many New Zealand-born companies already operate and trade in Australia, adding to the multibillion-dollar trans-Tasman relationship. The delegation’s visit in Australia coincides with the 40th anniversary of the
New Zealand exports to Australia are worth $13.83 billion, and overall Australian-New Zealand bilateral commerce is worth more than $29.29 billion. Australia is New Zealand’s second largest trading partner.
Women make up more than half of the workforce in Australia, however just 22.3 percent of CEO roles are held by women. The Whine Trade Mission and its delegates foresee a future in which corporate executives reflect the variety of the workforce.
