New Zealand and the United States enjoy a strong economic relationship, and a key component of this is New Zealand corporate and individual investment in the United States.   In 2011, total stock of New Zealand Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the United States was US$5.95 billion.  Top sectors for New Zealand’s U.S. investments include manufacturing as well as the wholesale trade industry.  Keeping that relationship active, relevant and growing requires initiative and up-to-date information.  President Obama recognizes this, and so has created the “SelectUSA” program, which aims to make it easier for New Zealanders to invest in the United States.  

The “SelectUSA” program highlights the extraordinary investment opportunities in the United States, and it encourages international businesses to locate, invest, and grow in the United States.  In particular, the U.S. has unparalleled educational institutions, labor productivity, and intellectual property protection.  This last point is important for a country like New Zealand – which is a content-generating country.  America looks to protect innovation through appropriate Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) enforcement and awareness because it creates jobs and exports, and promotes innovation and safe products.  Because of these and other unique qualities, the United States ranks in the top tier of global business climate surveys, including the Venture Capital and Private Equity Index, the FDI Confidence Index, the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business ranking, and the Center for Global Innovation and Entrepreneurship Indicator. 

In cooperation with the SelectUSA office, our Embassy in Wellington and Consulate-General in Auckland are committed to helping you invest in the United States.  Specifically, our offices can: (1) provide detailed information on the U.S. investment climate and profiles of different U.S. industries; (2) connect you to Economic Development Officers on the ground in each U.S. state and county to provide insights on location-specific investment opportunities and incentive programs; (3) offer guidance on U.S. policies and regulations in setting up and operating businesses; and (4) deliver ombudsman services to resolve issues in setting up a business. 

I encourage you to visit the SelectUSA website (www.selectusa.gov) for more information, and direct your specific inquiries to our Commercial Service office in Wellington (telephone (04) 462-6002 or email office.wellington@trade.gov).  We are looking forward to working with you even more intensively in the year ahead.

Sincerely,
David Huebner, U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand