NZIBF 2025 Chair Report

Chair Philip Gregan is also the CEO of New Zealand Winegrowers

I am pleased to present my fifth report on the activities and achievements of the New Zealand International Business Forum (NZIBF) for the 2024–25 year, our eighteenth year of operations. On behalf of the Board, I extend sincere thanks to all members and associates for your continued engagement and support.

Transition in Leadership

This year has marked an important period of transition for NZIBF. After many years of outstanding service, Stephen Jacobi concluded his tenure as Executive Director in June 2025. On behalf of the Board, I record our deep appreciation for Stephen’s leadership, his tireless advocacy for open, rules-based trade, and his enduring contribution to NZIBF’s standing in national and international policy circles. We also acknowledge Stephanie Honey, Fiona Cooper and Glen Candy for their valued work over many years, particularly through NZIBF’s engagement with the APEC Business Advisory Council and digital trade initiatives.

We were pleased to welcome Felicity Roxburgh as our new Executive Director in July 2025. Felicity has made a strong start, quickly strengthening relationships across government and industry, refreshing our communications, and representing NZIBF actively in public and media forums. Her national media interviews on the impact of the new US tariffs on New Zealand goods have highlighted NZIBF’s role as a credible and respected business voice in a time of global trade uncertainty.

Global Trade Environment

The global trading environment has entered an ever more turbulent phase. New Zealand exporters are now facing a 15 percent tariff on many goods entering the United States, a deeply disappointing development that NZIBF has publicly opposed. These measures—framed as “reciprocal tariffs”—risk undermining long-standing trade partnerships and penalise efficient, rules-based exporters such as New Zealand.

At the same time, wider geopolitical and economic disruption continues to affect several of our key markets. Slower growth in China, ongoing trade tensions between major economies, and regional security concerns are contributing to uncertainty across global supply chains. Encouragingly, New Zealand’s exports have so far held up well, reflecting the resilience and adaptability of our exporters. However, the full impact of the new U.S. tariffs is yet to be reflected in the trade statistics, and the coming year will provide a clearer picture of their consequences for key sectors.

The World Trade Organization (WTO) remains under pressure, with limited progress on reform and dispute settlement. In this environment, New Zealand must continue to advocate for predictable, transparent trade rules and try to resist the drift toward protectionism in some of our key markets.

Trade Agreements and Market Access

Despite these challenges, there have been encouraging developments in New Zealand’s trade architecture. The UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) entered into force in 2025, creating new opportunities for exporters in the Gulf region. We also look forward to seeing the long-negotiated Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) enter into force, completing a long-standing goal for New Zealand business.

We acknowledge the continuing momentum toward a future Free Trade Agreement with India and commend the Government for the significant investment and energy it has devoted to deepening engagement with this strategically important market. NZIBF has strongly supported these efforts through advocacy and relationship-building initiatives designed to lay the groundwork for a high-quality, mutually beneficial agreement.

Implementation of the EU–NZ and UK–NZ Free Trade Agreements is now well under way and already delivering benefits for New Zealand businesses, with growing uptake of tariff preferences and cooperation on sustainability standards. The successful resolution of the Canada dairy dispute under the CPTPP demonstrates that the rules-based system can work in practice, reinforcing the value of legally enforceable trade commitments.

Policy and Advocacy

NZIBF has continued to engage closely with government on a range of cross-cutting trade issues, including the interface between trade and sustainability, digital and paperless trade, and the implications of emerging environmental regulation. The Forum has reiterated the importance of coordinated, whole-of-government leadership to realise New Zealand’s goal of doubling export value within a decade.

Our policy work has been supported by an active communications and outreach programme. Through our social media, and media engagement, NZIBF has continued to promote informed discussion about the role of trade in supporting a resilient and sustainable economy.

Governance and Membership

The Board met four times during the year and maintained regular dialogue with Ministers, senior officials, and diplomatic representatives. We thank all members and associate members for their ongoing support and constructive engagement. This year we have welcomed Alan Thompson, CEO of Beef + Lamb, and Geoff Rolleston, Chair of the Māori Kiwifruit Growers to the board.  

Our finances remain sound and are well managed by Business Central. We continue to value our close cooperation with MFAT and MPI, whose partnership is essential to NZIBF’s success.

We have discontinued our direct support to the China Council and to ABAC, allowing us to focus more closely on the role and mandate of the NZIBF. We will continue to collaborate actively with these groups as our sister organisations.

Looking Ahead

The coming year will bring continued uncertainty as global trade is shaped by political shifts, rising protectionism, and the complex intersection between trade and security. These challenges make NZIBF’s role more relevant than ever. As a convenor of New Zealand’s leading export sectors and business associations, NZIBF provides a forum for collaboration, informed debate, and strong advocacy for open, sustainable trade.

Under our new Executive Director, the Forum is well positioned to respond proactively to these developments and to continue representing the interests of New Zealand business with clarity, authority, and impact.

Philip Gregan

Chair, New Zealand International Business Forum

November 2025