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  • 21 Sep 2020 10:58 AM | Anonymous

    Due to COVID-19 the New Zealand Consulate, Vancouver will not be doing in-person or postal voting. There are 3 easy steps to voting in the 2020 general election and referendums:

    • Before the election, update your enrolment details here.
    • From Wednesday 30 September (NZ time), download and complete your voting papers here.
    • Upload your completed voting papers here, by 7pm Saturday 17 October (NZ time). Your voting papers will include full information on how to return them.

    If you have any questions please visit Vote NZ here, or contact the Electoral Commission at +64 9 909 4182 or email here.  You can also contact the New Zealand Consulate, Vancouver at +1 604 684 7388 or via email


  • 1 Sep 2020 11:21 AM | Anonymous

    “Navitas, an Australian-based education provider, announced a ten year partnership with Ryerson University in Toronto and the establishment of Ryerson University International College (RUIC). The college will provide a pathway program for international students into Ryerson. This is Navitas’s third college in Canada, joining Fraser International College (Simon Fraser University) in Vancouver and the International College of Manitoba (University of Manitoba) in Winnipeg which together welcomed more than 3,000 new international students from 90 countries in 2019.

  • 1 Jul 2020 2:31 PM | Anonymous

    President's Message

    As we see some light at the end of the tunnel during these challenging times, I hope that you and your families have been keeping safe and well.

    Our new world has meant that at CANZBA we have had to make some changes, mainly with regards to our events. After having to cancel two live events in March and April, we relaunched our schedule with four virtual events in June and July. The first one, a webinar on VR and emerging technology with Lee Brighton of Virtro, proved both timely and highly informative. Our CANZBA (Virtual) Conversations series continues with an introduction to the new New Zealand High Commissioner, an update from the Australian High Commissioner and an opportunity to reconnect with fellow members to discuss overcoming the challenges during this crisis. Please see the Events section below for further details.

    Our new world has meant that at CANZBA we have had to make some changes, mainly with regards to our events. After having to cancel two live events in March and April, we relaunched our schedule with four virtual events in June and July. The first one, a webinar on VR and emerging technology with Lee Brighton of Virtro, proved both timely and highly informative. Our CANZBA (Virtual) Conversations series continues with an introduction to the new New Zealand High Commissioner, an update from the Australian High Commissioner and an opportunity to reconnect with fellow members to discuss overcoming the challenges during this crisis. Please see the Events section below for further details.

    I was fortunate in being able to attend the Australia-Canada Economic Leadership Forum in Melbourne just before the lockdown. As in previous Forums, many interesting topics were covered including geopolitics, cyber security, entrepreneurship, climate change and energy, space and defence innovation, trade and investment, infrastructure and indigenous economic development. The AusCan Forum is a dialogue between Australia and Canada that brings together leaders from the private and public sectors for high level discussions. See auscanforum.com for further information; if you would like to find out more about the discussions held please contact me directly.

    We’re pleased to announce that long-time Small Business member, the SMATS Group, are offering discounts on their tax and property management services, as well as a free e-book aimed at expats, to fellow CANZBA members. Visit the Members Discount page on our website for more details and to access this offer.

    Keep well and Happy Canada Day!

    Nerella Campigotto

    President

    Upcoming Events: Register Now 

    CANZBA (Virtual) Conversations: How has your business managed during the pandemic? - July 9

    Join fellow CANZBA Members for a hosted online discussion to share insights and discuss how business has adapted and changed over the last three months.

    Consular Update - New Zealand 

    It was great to see you all at our Welcome Webinar for Martin Harvey, New Zealand’s new High Commissioner to Canada who started earlier in the year. Normally we would have held a in-person function for Martin but circumstances dictated that we do this virtually. We are hopeful that one day soon we can all meet in person.

    We all know and are experiencing significant disruption personally and to our organizations across Canada from the impact of COVID-19. This disruption is putting pressure on business operations in the region, and many other operations elsewhere. A big part of The New Zealand High Commission and New Zealand Trade & Enterprise’s (NZTE) role in the Canada market is to understand how these disruptions are impacting our exporting businesses.

    Martin provided us some excellent insight to how New Zealand is coping economically with the pandemic. More details can be found on our respective FMAT and NZTE websites. I have provided a basic summary below.

    Considering the impact that COVID-19 has had on economies around the world – including in Canada – New Zealand goods exports to Canada did not perform too badly through March/April 2020 (the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand and Canada).

    In April 2020, overall goods exports decreased by 5.75 percent compared to April 2019. But this impact was lessened given higher exports over previous months – in the year to April 2020 good exports to Canada were up by 7.35 percent compared to the year to April 2019.

    Unsurprisingly there has been a significant impact on tourism and transportation service exports to Canada (which together made up 34.21 percent of New Zealand’s total exports to Canada in 2019). This will have an enduring impact on New Zealand’s total exports to Canada through 2020 and beyond.

    Currently, as there is no evidence to support transmission of COVID-19 associated with imported goods, there is no change to the regulatory settings for trade with Canada, and no additional sanitary or phytosanitary requirements are required by the Canadian Governments on market access for primary sector products exports and imports.

    Cargo movement is not restricted under the restrictions in Canada, and ocean freight cargo is still moving freely. However, the significant reduction of passenger flights by airlines (which handle 50 percent of all airfreight) will have a serious impact and we continue to monitor this closely.

    On behalf of CANZBA, NZTE and the New Zealand High Commission, thank you for all of your support through these tough times and if you have any further questions about New Zealand’s response to the COVID pandemic please do not hesitate to get in touch.

    Matt Ritchie

    New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Canada

    Member Pandemic Stories - COBS Bread in the Community

    COBS Bread believes that when you take care of your community, the community will take care of the business and was fortunate enough to remain open throughout the pandemic. COBS Bread’s first priority was to ensure the health and safety of their staff, franchisees and customers while continuing to support our communities.

    Over the last three months, COBS Bread franchisees have been donating tens of thousands of dollars of bread to staff and patients at local hospitals, care facilities, first-responders and people in need. This is in addition to approximately $30 million of end-of-day bread that COBS Bread franchisees donate to charities and needy causes across Canada this year.

    Franchisees at COBS Bread continue to find new ways to connect and give back to their local community. The reciprocal support from customers and the community has been heartwarming and overwhelming and – alongside similar efforts from other CANZBA Members – we’re glad we have been able to do our small part to help throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.



    News

    Business: Brisbane-based company sets up office in Canada

    Off-beat: Australia's 'fake genuine Russian choir'

    Sport: Rugby is back!

    Trade News from Australia

    Violet Crumble now available in CanadaTrade News from Australia

    The iconic Aussie chocolate brand, Violet Crumble, is now available in Canada. The VC Cubes and Nuggets are available at London Drugs stores in BC and Alberta.

    Buderim Ginger Beer is available across Canada:Buderim’s non-alcoholic ginger beer is available across Canada at retailers such as London Drugs, Save On Foods, Shoppers Drug Marts and Sobeys.

    Brisbane-based HR company sets up office in Canada:“Even during the COVID-19 pandemic Australia companies still see Canada as a good market. intelliHR, an Australian HR technology company with a next generation cloud-based people management and data analytics platform, has just opened an office in Toronto to support its expansion into North America."


  • 20 Jun 2020 2:00 PM | Anonymous


    HR Technology Company expands across the seas

    “Even during the COVID-19 pandemic Australia companies still see Canada as a good market. intelliHR, an Australian HR technology company with a next generation cloud-based people management and data analytics platform, has just opened an office in Toronto to support its expansion into North America.”

    Learn more about intelliHR here.

  • 10 Jun 2020 3:24 PM | Anonymous

    We are pleased to offer a new discount to our members from a Small Business Member, SMATS Group. Become a member today to reap the rewards!

    Member Discount

    SMATS Group is always looking at ways to support Australian expats while abroad, with many involved with Australian international organisations like Australian Embassies and Consulates, Australian business councils, chambers or societies, as well as schools, sporting clubs and university Alumni. As such we would like to offer the following as a promotion to all CANZBA members:

    • A free copy of The Aussie Expat - The Luckiest Person On Earth 3rd Edition (eBook);
    • A free 30 min initial Australian tax consultation proving a general review of your current situation, identify any urgent issues and provide recommendations on next steps;
    • 10% off your first Australian tax return with us, through our in-country office or nearest office location;
    • 3 months free property management through our Sydney, Melbourne & Perth aussieproperty.com property management offices; and
    • Free mortgage review and serviceability assessment


  • 9 Jun 2020 10:51 AM | Anonymous

    A choirmaster and vodka headache...

    It all began as a bit of a sing and a few beers at the RSL on Tuesday nights.

    Read the full article here.

  • 25 Apr 2020 1:55 PM | Anonymous


  • 18 Apr 2020 2:20 PM | Anonymous

    ANZAC Day 2020 - a virtual remembering

    In lieu of CANZBA hosting our annual ANZAC Day Commemoration Ceremony, we are pleased to provide the following links to watch coverage of the 2020 ANZAC Day commemorations offered by the Australian War Memorial and the New Zealand Defence Force.


    New Zealand Defence Force

    6:00am (NZST) on 25 April, or 11:00am on 24 April, PST, which will be broadcast by RNZ National, on the RNZ App, for more information, visit their website.

    Australian War Memorial

    5:30am on 25 April (AEST), or 12:30pm on 24 April PST. Please visit the AMW website for more information.


  • 12 Feb 2020 9:48 AM | Anonymous

    Kevin Lamb was appointed an Honorary Member within the Order of Australia for service to the Australian Government as Honorary Consul for Vancouver, at Australia House in Ottawa. Congratulations Kevin!

  • 12 Feb 2020 9:28 AM | Anonymous



    President's Message

    Dear members.

    Wishing you a safe and Happy New Year. We look forward to seeing you at our events throughout the coming year.

    Sincerely,

    Nerella Campigotto

    Member Spotlight

    Western Management Consultants (WMC)

    Western Management Consultants (WMC) is one of the longest standing and most respected Canadian names in management consulting. Remaining independent and objective, we have been providing innovative solutions to large and small clients for nearly 50 years.

    We service a broad range of clients within the private and public sectors, and this diverse portfolio of experience allows us to advise and interact with a variety of professionals at every level of an organization.

    When you engage WMC, you benefit from close collaborations with senior experts who bring depth of experience over a broad range of disciplines. Our clients appreciate the efficiency of working directly with practitioners with proven expertise and competence.  WMC specializes in Strategy, Leadership & Transformation across seven primary disciplines:

    • Strategic Advisory
    • Operations and Performance Improvements
    • People Services
    • Marketing and Customer Strategy
    • Executive Search
    • Information Technology
    • Organisational Change Management

    Events

    Australia Day - Waitangi Day, 30 January 2020

    AI/VR Presentation, details TBA

    ANZAC Day Commemmeration, April 25 2020 


    Sport

    Australia v New Zealand: The sky's the limit for this team

    2019 the year for women in Australian sport

    NRL - a decade in review

    Organisational Change Manage

    NRL - a decade in review


    Wow it’s been a whirlwind five months here in Vancouver for my family and I. For those who do not know me I’m the new Consul General covering British Columbia and Trade Commissioner covering Canada, based in Vancouver. Previous to this posting, we lived in Malaysia for four and half years, where I was New Zealand’s Trade Commissioner.

    It has been an amazing lead up to Christmas here and a big contrast to the long sunny days, BBQs and Beaches back in New Zealand. The lights are amazing, and we have managed to get up Grouse Mountain to check out what real winter is like!Thankfully the transition was easy with Canada being such a similar culture to New Zealand and probably more so because of the great support Nick Fleming (my predecessor) and his wife gave us while we transitioned up here.

    Canada and New Zealand share a close affinity for one another, with similar legal, government and social traditions and therefore it is not surprising that Canada is New Zealand’s 12th largest export market with exports valued at NZ$1.179 billion in 2019. Also, important to note is that New Zealand (and Australia) has its first trade agreement with Canada (called CPTPP) and now virtually all our products coming into Canada are duty free, which will give our companies an edge over competitors.

    This year at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE), we have directly helped over 100 New Zealand companies right across the Canadian market. Even in my short time here, the team done great things to help our companies grow bigger, better and fast here in Canada.

    In October, we hosted the first inaugural Taste of New Zealand Chefs Event where 14 of our top New Zealand food and beverage companies where connected to key contacts in the hospitality industry including chefs and distributors. NZTE partnered with industry influencers to extend our digital reach and showcase the fine New Zealand dishes and drinks to over 636,000 chefs and industry professionals through social media platforms.

    In November, we held a networking reception at the Helicopter Association of Canada 2019 conference. A total of 120 helicopter industry representatives attended where we introduced the them to a delegation of nine New Zealand companies focused on the helicopter industry. These types of events help raise the profile and the impact of New Zealand expertise and reinforce national synergies between Canada and New Zealand. For example, did you know that British Columbia and New Zealand share the records for the largest number of helicopters in operation per capita?

    Also, in November we hosted a strong delegation of Maori businesses here during the World Indigenous Business Forum. It was great to see connections being made in the Food & Beverage, Tourism and Tech Sectors. Watch this space for more activities in the New Year.

    One thing that has surprised me is that despite a lot of effort from Canada, Australia and New Zealand, there is still not a lot of awareness of the CPTPP trade agreement and how it benefits our businesses. This is something the team and I are going to focus on in the New Year and would love CANZBA members’ support to help spread the word.

    To all those I have had the pleasure to meet so far and to those I have not (and hope to soon), all the best for the New Year.

    Ngā mihi, kia kaha!

    Matt Ritchie

    Consul General and Trade Commissioner


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