Asia becomes more important for Kiwi trade, says new survey

A survey released this week is showing that New Zealanders see Asia as increasingly important for trade.

The results of the Asia New Zealand Foundation survey were released today and reveal that 81 per cent of respondents felt the Asia region is important to New Zealand's future.

The survey showed an increase in the number of people who think free trade agreements will impact positively from 74 per cent in 2008 to 78 per cent.

Foundation executive director Richard Grant says business and education are areas of continuing focus.

"One of our objectives is to educate people about Asian communities and cultures. I think we're going to increase our tempo in that area," he says.

The Business Education partnership began in November and will span over three years. Grant says the scheme is about adding cultural knowledge to New Zealand organisations and maintaining links with Asia as a trading partner.

Businesses enrolled in the scheme include the Auckland Chamber of Commerce,the Meat Industry Association, and law firm, Bell Gully.

Bell Gully, one of the founders of the Asia NZ Foundation has formed the Asia Group, comprised of the law firm's members who are familar with conducting business in Asia and representing Asian businesses in New Zealand.

The group includes staff who have learned Asian languages, customs, and protocol.

The interest in this sector is growing for the firm which represented Hong Kong's largest listed infrastructure company, Cheung Kong,when it bought Vector's Wellington electricity network.

Bell Gully partner Simon Watt says to compliment the Asia Group the firm is arranging secondments for lawyers in Shanghai, Tokyo, and Hong Kong. He says this is a measure towards understanding and experience of business in the region.

"It is helpful to be aware of cultural issues or protocols, and it certainly does help to have staff who have worked in Asia.

He says the group of about 10 is likely to expand as more staff gain this kind of cross-cultural experience.

Josephine Ellis, senior lecturer of communication studies at AUT University, says there is a need to train businesses in intercultural communications but wonders if it being met.

"People are learning on the go, by trial and error. I'm not sure how many companies are putting efforts in to it. Often staff are left to manage it as they go.

She says her son struggled with adjusting culturally when sent to work as a merchant banker in Hong Kong two years ago.

"He really wasn't given any training as to what he could expect.There's quite a system of staff getting envelopes of money from senior staff for Chinese New Year. No one would have realised. And so he was running around frantically trying to organise all these envelopes and not offend anyone.

The survey suggests respondents most regular contact with Asia is through shopping, shops or services. Business or work contacts was also high at 70 per cent.

Kiwi clothing label Commoners Alike is being launched later this month. With manufacturing based in Hong Kong and China, director Jae Mills says trade with Asia is increasingly important to New Zealand.

He says the factory he deals with is owned in part by a New Zealander.

"The difference is you're committed to quite a high minimum. I've been lucky to work with someone who's really committed to work with us and really grow small labels.

We need to be quite aware of our industry in New Zealand. I'm not saying we need to look at China for all our manufacturing like clothes or chocolate.

But certainly some of it, I mean Karen Walker makes her clothes there."