Member News
UMS Whitepaper Release: International Education Outlook 2025.
United Media Solution's (UMS) latest whitepaper, Back to Class: International Education Outlook 2025, unpacks the trends and forces shaping education as a global market, helping institutions plan effective strategies for the year ahead. Some key points of the report include:
🌍 The global Higher Education market is navigating a rapidly changing landscape shaped by evolving policies, rising costs, and shifting student expectations.
✈️ Major destinations continue to draw demand, but smaller markets have untapped potential to grow by innovating with program delivery and emphasizing affordability and employability.
🎓 Postgraduate programs are a growth area, with students drawn to flexible post-study work rights and career-focused pathways. Institutions must expand outreach beyond traditional agent networks to attract high-quality candidates who often apply directly.
📱 Digital engagement is essential. Today's students rely on authentic, peer-driven content to evaluate their study options through social media channels and dedicated digital solutions.
🧳 Students and parents prioritize affordability, safety, quality education, and clear migration opportunities when choosing a destination. These differ per international market and are vital to leverage for the most engaging marketing messages.
📚 Discover actionable insights to drive enrollment growth. Explore our latest United Media Solution whitepaper: Back to Class - International Education Outlook 2025.
👇 Download it here:
NZBRiC Activities
NZBRiC visits the China International Import Expo (CIIE)
This year, Executive Director Anna-May Isbey and NZBRiC Board Director, David Boyle, CEO of Primary Collaboration New Zealand (Shanghai) Co Ltd, enjoyed engaging with over 70 exhibiting New Zealand companies at CIIE.
Our mission during CIIE was to bolster the efforts of our members and amplify New Zealand's business presence in China through strategic advocacy, fostering government relationships, and driving commercial success. Here are some key takeaways derived from our discussions with NZBRiC members at the expo:
- Maximize Strategic Engagement: Utilize the concentrated presence of business leaders and government officials by proactively scheduling meetings with key stakeholders. This presents an exceptional opportunity to enhance brand visibility, consolidate existing relationships, and cultivate new partnerships within the China market.
- Robust Market Demand in Certain Sectors: The turnout at CIIE was impressive, with a noticeable surge in brands focused on health and wellness as well as those in the healthy food and beverage sectors. New Zealand's compelling provenance narrative is ideally positioned to meet the evolving demands within these industries. Successful exhibitors are those who effectively localize their product offerings and marketing messages to resonate with consumer preferences.
- Harness Live Streaming: The integration of live streaming into brand strategies has become ubiquitous. From dynamic product showcases to engaging special guests, brands are leveraging live streaming to enhance authenticity and bolster consumer engagement at CIIE.
- Commercial Opportunities: Significant commercial partnerships and outcomes emerged during the visit of New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Agriculture, Todd McClay, to various New Zealand brand booths. Capitalizing on the presence of high-level officials can not only promote brand growth but also reinforce confidence in the New Zealand-China trade relationship.
Services Sector Panel & Networking Canapé Lunch
On November 4th, we were privileged to partner with the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand (CCCNZ) for our second Services Sector Panel and Networking Canapé Lunch. This event provided a valuable platform for our members to connect and exchange insights with leading New Zealand companies thriving in China's services sector. We were honored to have the Honorable Todd McClay, New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Agriculture, join us as he opened the event with valuable commentary on the significance of services trade between In New Zealand and China.
A heartfelt thank you to our esteemed panelists: Rocky Meng, Founder of Sparks Partners; Gavin Yang, Managing Director of Trademonster Limited; Lisa Li, Managing Director of China Travel Services; Angie Chen, Head of Global Subsidiary Group at ANZ; and our moderator, Mark Anderton, EGM Sourcing and Supply Chain at The Warehouse Group and Chair of NZBRiC, for enriching the discussion with their expertise.
NZBRiC would also like to thank Rebecca Bao from Kea for their event support. We look forward to deepening our collaboration with CCCNZ and continuing to support our members in exploring opportunities within the vibrant China market.
Breakfast with the Minister
On November 6th, NZBRiC had the privilege of again hosting the Honorable Todd McClay, New Zealand's Trade and Agricultural Minister, for an exclusive breakfast event ahead of CIIE. Held at the vibrant 'Something' restaurant and café, attendees enjoyed a delicious spread including sponsored products from Zespri International, Fonterra, Silver Fern Farms Ltd, Tatua Co-operative Dairy Company Ltd, Newo, Spring Sheep Milk Co. New Zealand, Maui Milk, Synlait Milk Limited, Mr Apple New Zealand Ltd, Rockit Global Limited, and JEL.
The event was opened by NZBRiC's Executive Director Anna-May Isbey who highlighted the strong and growing trade relationship between New Zealand Zealand and China, reporting significant two-way trade figures and positive sentiments among businesses. She expressed gratitude to the New Zealand government for its engagement with the business community and welcomed Minister Todd McClay to speak further on trade opportunities.
Minister McClay addressed the breakfast by sharing insights on opportunities to strengthen trade ties between New Zealand and China. Emphasizing New Zealand's reputation for high-quality and sustainable products, he reaffirmed the governmentment's commitment to promoting the New Zealand brand in China. Minister McClay also acknowledged the achievements of New Zealand businesses making their mark in China, pledging continued government support for their growth and success.
Following the Minister's remarks, attendees had the chance to hear from an expert panel: Rob Hewett, Chair of Silver Fern Farms Ltd; Zoe Li, General Manager of China and Asia at MitoQ Limited; Jason T.E. Brake, CEO of Zespri International; Abby Ye, President China and Director of Foodservice at Synlait Milk Limited; and moderator David Boyle, CEO of Primary Collaboration New Zealand(Shanghai) Co Ltd and Board Member of NZBRiC. Together, they explored future opportunities and challenges in sectors like agriculture, horticulture, and health & wellness for New Zealand businesses in China. We extend our gratitude to Minister McClay and all our esteemed panelists for their invaluable contributions to this insightful breakfast event.
Special thanks to Rebecca Bao from Kea and our dedicated event team James O'Riley, and Isaac Roberts On for their support in making the event a success. We also want to thank Mr. Craig Willis, owner of the venue 'Something' for your exceptional hospitality on the day.
To cap off a busy week after CIIE, NZBRiC's monthly Kiwi Drinks event returned for a lively evening of networking and reflections on the week gone by. Hosted at the stylish Cotton's Restaurant in Shanghai's French Concession, attendees enjoyed an array of authentic New Zealand food and beverages, generously sponsored by our member, Rata Group.
Adding to the evening's excited atmosphere, our monthly raffle featured a fantastic selection of Kiwi prizes from our member companies, raising a significant amount for our chosen CSR partner, Shanghai Sunrise.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported this months Kiwi Drinks, your contributions continue to make this monthly occasion such a great event for our New Zealand business community in China. Kiwi Drinks is our monthly networking event, held on the second Friday of each month.
Annual Kiwi Brunch.
NZBRiC's Annual Kiwi Brunch for 2024 was a fantastic celebration of New Zealand culture and community, held at the beautiful Westin Bund Center in Shanghai! This much-anticipated event was the perfect way for New Zealand businesses attending the China International Import Expo to unwind, connect, and reflect on the busy week.
Guests enjoyed an authentic Kiwi dining experience, featuring a buffet of New Zealand's finest offerings: grass-fed beef, lamb, venison, sustainable seafood, fresh fruit, dairy delights, and rich manuka honey. Free-flowing New Zealand wines and The Westin's signature beers and cocktails added to the vibrant atmosphere, creating a true taste of home in Shanghai. A special thanks to our food and beverage sponsors; Zespri; Fonterra; Tatua; Silver Fern Farms; Synlait; Spring Sheep; Maui; Achernar; Villa Maria; Babich; Newo; Rockit; Peddlers; Yeyo; and JEL.
The event also featured live entertainment and a lucrative charity raffle, raising significant funds for our CSR partner, Shanghai Sunrise. Of most significance, our attendees had the opportunity to win the grand prize - an Air New Zealand return flight from Shanghai to Auckland. We'd like to especially thank Air New Zealand along with our other generous member sponsors for adding such value to a truly noble cause. Your contributions help make the brunch a true celebration of Kiwi spirit and community. Furthermore, a heartfelt thank you to The Westin Bund Center Shanghai for their exceptional hospitality, Board Member and CEO of PCNZ David Boyle for MCing the event, and Kea for their invaluable event support.
We also would like to thank all those attendees that participated in the raffle by purchasing tickets, your contribution to Shanghai Sunrise makes education attainable to those who most need it. Thank you to Frances O'Rourke, Chair of Shanghai Sunrise for your energetic participation on the day.
For more photos from the day, please scan the QR code below:
