President's Message

Dear members

ANZAC Day, as always, was a moving event this year. It’s a special time to remember those fallen in all wars; and we do so alongside other ex-pats and travellers who find themselves in Vancouver. Following the service with some Down Under fare and a cheeky game of two-up is an evening well spent!

Our most recent event was a well-attended CANZBA Conversations series. Hosted by Corporate members BDO, and with the folks from Xero sharing their experience in growing a successful business on this side of the pond, members and guests enjoyed a lively discussion followed by some networking.

On July 8 we are very pleased to have David Gelb visiting us from Melbourne. He is the Global Head of R&D at KPMG and will speak about how Canadian businesses can take advantage of R&D incentives in Australia and New Zealand. KPMG will be hosting this event at their new Ignition Centre. Make sure you register early and bring a guest.

Thanks for reading, and wishing you and your family a safe and happy summer.

Sincerely,

Nerella Campigotto

Member Spotlight

Contemporary Art Gallery Vancouver (CAG)

The Contemporary Art Gallery (CAG) is an internationally acclaimed venue located at the corner of Nelson and Richards Streets that provides free admission to all, including exhibitions, events, talks, tours, learning and outreach programs. Born in 1971 as an artist society to promote local contemporary art, it has since grown into a renowned public institution, becoming an influential and critical contributor to the local, national and international contemporary art scene.

CAG joined CANZBA as we have maintained an ongoing relationship with New Zealand and Australian artists and organizations, including historic productions by artists Keg De Souza and Gordon Bennett, with further presentations representing both countries scheduled throughout 2019.

The first is by the Michipicoten First Nation artist, Rolande Souliere, who now resides in Sydney, Australia. Receiving her PhD from the Sydney College of the Arts, Souliere works predominantly with local aboriginal communities and artists. Her works, Frequent Stopping IV and V are currently installed on the CAG Façade, off-site at Yaletown-Roundhouse Station and travelling throughout Vancouver on a graphically-wrapped bus in the year-long public presentation, How far do you travel?. Souliere uses caution tape and street barrier patterns throughout her expansive practice to create immersive, muscular installations that consider how colonial infrastructures mark both spaces and the people inhabiting them.

Presented later this year will be New Zealand artist Maddie Leach, who has been visiting Vancouver annually since 2015 participating in CAG’s artist-in-residency program. Lowering Simon Fraser is the culmination of her local research exploring how once celebratory civic monuments can shift in significance and meaning over time, presented though events and a graphic novel illustrated by prominent New Westminster-based illustrator and historian, Michael Kluckner.

As CAG is a non-profit public gallery that provides free programming for all, we encourage CANZBA members and friends to visit as participation can sometimes be the first step in understanding the work that we do. Attend a curated tour, engage in the numerous public-art installations, learn from our national and internationally touring exhibitions, or join in an exhibition opening celebration—nothing is stopping you. Visit to learn more about the intrinsic value and benefits of contemporary art and through participation you may learn something new about Vancouver, Canada or even yourself.

Events

Our upcoming event and past events below, please see events page for full detail:

Presentation: Incentives to Undertake R&D in Australia and New Zealand

Australia Day / Waitangi Day

2019 ANZAC Commemoration

CANZBA Conversations: The Xero Story

News 

My Year with Helen: A Documentary

Sport

State of Origin: Tough night for Latrell Mitchell as Queensland beat New South Wales

French Open rained out 

Cricket World Cup: New Zealand beat Bangladesh in thriller

Consular Update

Unbelievably it is almost four years since I first found myself writing one of these. I had only recently arrived in Vancouver, the All Blacks were starting a successful campaign to retain the Rugby World Cup in the UK and Canada was just about to experience a surprising and unexpected federal election result. I remember writing that my placement as New Zealand Consul General and Trade Commissioner in Vancouver would coincide with the next Rugby World Cup tournament in Japan, not thinking much of it at the time, as it was four years away. Oh how time flies, it is now less than 100 days until the first game and I will be watching it from back in New Zealand.

It has been an absolute honour and privilege to serve as New Zealand’s Consul General accredited to British Columbia and Trade Commissioner for Canada, out of Vancouver. I have been very fortunate to have had that opportunity over the last four years.

This is a beautiful city in a wonderful country and it has been a fantastic experience both professionally and personally.

On the professional front the New Zealand Trade & Enterprise team at the Consulate has helped grow two-way trade with Canada to over $2 billion annually and I thank them and the New Zealand companies we work with for making this happen. There is more to come. With CPTPP having come into force at the end of last year, Canada is now on a lot more New Zealand companies’ radars as a potential export market for their goods and services and we are gradually breaking down the misconception that North America is just the US.

We also had the honour of making five people New Zealand citizens at the Consulate during my time, which was a real highlight on the Consular side.

On the personal front my wife Marie and our four kids have loved living in a different, but very similar culture to New Zealand. The beaches aren’t quite as good, but the mountains are majestic and it is going to be hard to leave them behind. Anyone from BC who hasn’t made the effort to get over to Quebec in the summer, I highly recommend you do. Montreal and Quebec are very cool and it shows just how diverse this country is.

My replacement has been named, Matt Ritchie and he will be in-market from the end of summer. Matt is on his second posting having formally been New Zealand Trade Commissioner to Malaysia, based in Kuala Lumpur and will be a great addition to the team.

To all I have had the pleasure to meet while being based here, thank you for your help and kind hospitality and I wish you all the best for the future.

With regard to the upcoming Rugby World Cup and federal election, if I were a betting man I would put my money on an All Blacks threepeat – the election result is tougher to call. You can rest assured, I’ll be watching with interest from afar!

Best Regards