China Business Summit: Innovation key to Auckland's growth

Brett O'Riley.

Brett O'Riley is adamant that innovation will be a key element of Auckland's new global brand narrative.

The chief executive of Auckland's economic development agency Ateed has set a goal for Auckland to be world-leading advanced industries city by 2020 as measured by the Brookings Institution.

A key element in that strategy is the agreement Ateed's O'Riley forged with Guangzhou's Innohub to establish a $20 million fund to invest in smart Auckland companies.

Innohub president Hongbo Xu will join O'Riley in a special session on Innovation at the forthcoming China Business Summit. Xu studied in Auckland and worked for the then-Telecom on setting up internet service provider Xtra.

Xu, is among a panel of insightful New Zealand and international speakers that The 2015 China Business Summit - which has a focus on the major game changers in China - takes place at the Langham Hotel in Auckland on Monday November 9.

O'Riley has mustered key NZ players to share their perspectives on the Chinese push for innovation, and how New Zealand firms can maximise the opportunity it presents.

Tony Wei and Andy Hamilton will discuss how China Hub Inc and The Icehouse are working with SMEs to offer the crucial "helping hand" for Kiwi businesses to succeed in getting into and growing in the Chinese market. China offers significant business opportunities for New Zealand businesses, but entering the China market is highly risky for the under-prepared, no matter the size of the company.

Video: China Business Summit

O'Riley will wrap up the panel by sharing his take on how greater connectivity between Auckland and China will help to establish a city where innovation thrives and can attract crucial foreign investment to fund our innovative companies.

Other summit speakers include: Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings and Air New Zealand CEO Christopher Luxon who will share their views on the major Chinese game changers affecting New Zealand and their companies, Dean Hamilton, CEO of Silver Fern Farms, which recently won approval to proceed with a joint-venture with Shanghai Maling, will talk about the realities of taking part in China's rapidly evolving supply chains and NZ Super Fund chief executive Adrian Orr will join ANZ's China CEO Huang Xiaoguang in a panel debating whether the Chinese economy is heading for a hard landing and NZ business' relative positioning as Australia nails a free trade deal with China and the Trans Pacific partnership changes the balance in the Asia-Pacific.

The China-based speakers coming down to Auckland include, Kestrel Lee, executive creative director for George P Johnson (Great China). with more than 100 awards for campaigns for global brands in China and Asia such as Mars, adidas, Martell VSOP and HP.

The event is a joint-venture between NZ INC and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce and will be co-chaired by Fran O'Sullivan and Michael Barnett.

NZME. is media partner for the summit. Further details of the Summit including registration and the full programme can be accessed at www.chinabusinesssummit.co.nz or www.aucklandchamber.co.nz