Latest News

Unveiled at The AmCham Success and Innovation Awards and now viewable everywhere!

Thanks to Rebecca Caroe for shepherding the Board though the design options.

Cloud security, networking and storage vendor Barracuda Networks has launched its MSP business in Australia and New Zealand.

Barracuda MSP is a dedicated unit of the vendor that focuses on IT service provider partners and delivering security and data protection via its purpose-built MSP platform.

To support the launch, Barracuda has appointed dedicated staff in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to support MSPs in Australia and New Zealand. Specifically, these include a regional account director in Brisbane, a solutions engineer in Sydney and a field marketing manager in Melbourne.

These appointments are in addition to Barracuda's existing local teams and the vendor also has support staff from Barracuda’s APAC office in Hong Kong dedicated to the A/NZ MSP market.

In a statement, the company said it is ready to further grow those teams as required to meet partners' needs.

"Australia and New Zealand are very important markets for Barracuda as we continue to extend our position as a cloud security and data protection solution provider," said Andrew Huntley, regional sales director for A/NZ and Pacific Islands for Barracuda. 

Silicon Valley billionaire Sean Parker's representatives have discussed his planned investment in Weta Digital with the Overseas Investment Office, but are yet to lodge a formal application.

Weta and Parker announced the deal last week, which will see Parker take a minority stake in the Wellington-based digital and cinematic effects firm which has built a global reputation working on blockbuster movies. US-based representatives for Weta wouldn't provide any more detail.

Parker co-founded the controversial music file-sharing service Napster in 1999 and served as the first president of social media juggernaut Facebook in 2004.

Foreign investment in New Zealand needs regulatory approval if it involves buying or acquiring an interest in sensitive land, such as residential property, or crosses the $100 million threshold for business assets.

Palo Alto-based Weta Holdings was formed in April this year in the state of Delaware, with Tom van Loben Sels and Michael Polansky named as managers. Both are board members of the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy, which was founded and is chaired by Parker.

Weta Digital is the visual effects arm of Peter Jackson and Richard Taylor's Wellington film empire. It sits alongside post-production unit Park Road Post Production, equipment hire company Portsmouth Rentals, physical effects unit Weta Workshop, and the WingNut Films production company.

Read more

New Kiwi business VideoTaxi has swung a major international deal in New York, the home of the yellow cab which inspired the company’s branding. It has also landed a deal in Philadelphia and is heading to Europe later this month to sign up businesses there too.

Co-founder Ondrej Havas says his idea of a subscription video service for corporates and commerce has taken off in New Zealand, and it’s about to do the same overseas.

“We already have more than 20 companies in New Zealand signed up, and we have now licensed the VideoTaxi concept to two production houses in the United States – Casual Films, a multi-national based in New York, and Kinetic Films in Philadelphia.

“Casual Films has just sold a VideoTaxi subscription to Canon in the US while Kinetic has several construction companies lined up. We’re thrilled New York was the first international location to adopt VideoTaxi – not only is the Big Apple the commercial and advertising centre of America, its iconic yellow cabs inspired our branding. When we pitched to Casual Films, they said VideoTaxi was a great concept which would work really well in their market.”

Not one to rest on his laurels, Havas is now taking VideoTaxi to Europe.

VideoTaxi co-owner and MD Ondrej Havas (clockwise from front left), co-owner and CTO Eddie Burrow, senior producer Bruce Knoetze, and senior cabbie Jean-luc Darne

Read more

Airline update

American Airlines seasonal service between Auckland and Los Angeles re-commences with their daily Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight on Tuesday 29 October. The flight departs AKL at 14.20hrs and lands same day at 06.35hrs into LAX. The early morning arrival avoids the Tom Bradley Terminal’s infamous Customs and Immigration lines so frequently experienced later in the day. The flights are code-shared with Qantas Airways.  

The day prior United Airlines increases to a daily schedule between Auckland and San Francisco flying on board a Boeing 777-300. This service also has an afternoon departure from Auckland and an early arrival into San Francisco – making connections to every corner of the US achievable.

Hawaiian Airlines has released a new set of short life sale fares to their 13 Mainland USA cities, which includes the two East Coast destinations Boston and New York (JFK). One of the stand-out fares is to LA/Long Beach for just NZ$1136 return – all up. Sale concludes 13 September 19.  Travel dates are 07 Oct – 27 Nov 19 plus dates in 2020.

Travellers flying Virgin Australia and Qantas are reminded of a new policy around carrying MacBook Pro 15” laptops. These must be carried in your hand luggage and remain switched off at all times. This is following the recall notice issued by Apple.

Our business travellers are creatures of habit – and the road warriors amongst them often work on remote control assuming their usual flight will be just that. However from 28 October we need an ‘awake moment’ when flying LAX to AKL on Air New Zealand as the airline has adjusted the departure times of the NZ001 and NZ005 services. The flights have been switched around with NZ005 to depart earlier from LAX at 20.05hrs (currently 2230hrs) and NZ001, the through flight from London, now departing LAX at 21.05hrs. NZ001 from London previously connected through to both NZ001 and NZ005 but now only to the same plane NZ001. This will disappoint those flying ex-London and looking for upgrades on your Frequent Flyer as having both flights in the mix allowed you to hedge your bets to take the flight with the best availability – regrettably that’s now not possible.  Seemingly you can’t run an airline just for the Frequent Flyers!

Air New Zealand has introduced a charge of NZ$19 per flight to select a seat in advance on its lower Economy Class fare categories on its flights to the US. The airline’s Gold Frequent Flyers as well as Koru Club members are exempt. If you are fussy about your seating we recommend asking your usual ATPI Travel Consultant to add the charge onto your airfare in advance to get the seat you want. Waiting for the online check in to open 24 hours in advance is risky.

We welcome a new entry for flights to the US, this time via Canada. Air Canada will operate between Auckland and Vancouver for the Summer months (14 December – 07 March). Air Canada offers excellent connections into the US, in particular New York to where it operates an international caliber Dreamliner. Those who have experienced Vancouver airport will also know it’s an easy, efficient, calm and peaceful facility to enter the US through! The bonus is that the pre-clearance for US Customs and Immigrations occurs in Vancouver.

Hotels

Travel better! At ATPI New Zealand we’re a member of the prestigious US-based Virtuoso, an invited group of the world’s leading travel agents and where we can achieve benefits over and above any other travel agent or booking site for our clients. For a similar level as any advertised rate included on the hotel site, Bookings.com or Expedia you’ll receive:

·       Upgrade on arrival, subject to availability

·       Daily Breakfast for two

·       Food & Beverage or Spa services credit usually around US$100

·       Early check-in/late check-out, subject to availability

·       Complimentary Wi-Fi

·       Often some other kind of personalised in-room amenity

·       Take a look at www.virtuoso.com or call one of our BWT Travel Advisors

For your next Team Building or Employee Incentive don’t go past New York. Take advantage of our seat sale fares and create WOW in your next Executive Team conference, incentive or team building. Our ‘on the ground partner’ can arrange a 5-day mind-broadening experience that your team will never forget. Options range from Improv Classes to get team bonding started – that’s right – in the heart of Broadway your team can learn acting skills as a team – be prepared to laugh so heard that your belly hurts. Next on the list is Escape Rooms on steroids – NYC has some of the best escape rooms where the team work to solve the puzzle (basically how to get out quickly in order to get to dinner!). Then we’re arranging a scavenger hunt which will create healthy competition and get involved with local New York and its people. Let’s round this out with a private food tasting tour around Chinatown and Little Italy. Ask our Meetings and Incentives team to help you take your employee incentives up a notch in New York.

The pinnacle of southern charm, Charleston, South Carolina tops Travel + Leisure magazine’s list for best American Cities for the 7^th year in a row. Located in the very heart of downtown Charlestown and in the historic district is our Virtuoso partner hotel, Belmond Charleston Place. The Belmond is the perfect base to explore from and blends gentility and old-world charm with a leading-edge spa and innovative cuisine. By booking through us, we’ll provide full breakfast for two and a US$100 food and beverage credit, in addition to the other usual Virtuoso amenities.

From 01 October your international visitors to New Zealand may require an electronic travel authorisation to land in New Zealand NZeTA. There is essentially two parts to this – the basic electronic visa required for relevant nationals and the IVL – International Visitor Levey – which is the NZ$35 payable for us to build smarter facilities in National Parks (hopefully potentially more than that!). Have your visiting colleagues look at https://nzeta.immigration.govt.nz/.  As with the US ESTA site its likely that many copycat sites will show up and charge more than is necessary. The best source is our website noted below – refer to the Traveller Resources section for the correct websites.

ATPI New Zealand
Level 5, ANZ Bank Building  
187 Broadway, Newmarket
PO Box 99088, Auckland, New Zealand
Auckland: Telephone: +64 9 529 3700
Wellington: Telephone: +64 4 470 6044
NZ wide: 0800 508 580
www.atpi.co.nz

The new name for ATPI Business World Travel is ATPI New Zealand

New Zealand-based Salus Aviation continues to expand its portfolio of companies with the acquisition of USA based Heli-Parts Nevada (HPN).

HPN is an excellent complement to Salus’ existing Oceania Aviation business; and Oceania and HPN have a long history of successfully working together.

The acquisition extends the service and parts offering to HPN customers in New Zealand and to Oceania Aviation customers in the USA, and provides Salus with access to the important USA market to meet its future growth aspirations.

HPN is the single largest provider of overhauled and used Airbus components and Safran Turbomeca engines globally. HPN also offers hourly engine leases to customers as part of its Engine Power on Demand (EPOD) program.

Airbus continues to hold the majority of the helicopter market making HPN an idea fit for Salus Aviation as the company builds a portfolio of companies that will grow our profitable and sustainable future.

Salus Chief Executive Nick Mair said

“David Lok and the HPN team’s passion for providing quality service to their customers is a trait that fits well with the values of Salus. I am looking forward to working with David to further extend the reach of HPN into the Asia Pacific region.”

"With a quality acquisition such as HPN, Salus is well placed to benefit from the increase in service offerings that HPN brings to the Group. Salus also looks forward to extending our exceptional customer service to the important US market”.

Read more

Tourism New Zealand, Air New Zealand and its alliance partner United Airlines have today launched a major campaign to attract visitors from the USA and encourage them to explore more of regional New Zealand.

The campaign is the first cab off the rank under a new three-year memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand, designed to ensure New Zealand continues to stand out as a destination on the crowded world stage.

“Tourism is New Zealand’s top export earner, delivering over $16 billion to our communities each year. Given the global slow down we need to work even harder to keep it that way,” says Stephen England-Hall, Chief Executive of Tourism New Zealand.

“We need people to choose us and this partnership gives us a stronger voice to cut through tough global competition.”

Air New Zealand and its alliance partners brought 34 percent of international visitors to New Zealand in the year ended April 2019.

“A thriving tourism industry is important for both New Zealand and Air New Zealand, and we’re committed to working in partnership with Tourism New Zealand to grow the value of tourism in a sustainable way,” says Christopher Luxon, Air New Zealand’s Chief Executive Officer.

“This includes promoting travel to New Zealand in spring, winter and autumn and encouraging visitors to experience more regions to help grow regional economies. We know we’ve got a unique tourism proposition, but we’ve got to work really hard to attract international visitors who at the end of the day can opt to visit locations closer to home. That’s why partnerships such as this one are critical for our industry and our economy.”

The Tourism New Zealand/Air New Zealand MoU outlines an intent to invest up to $30 million each over three years for joint activity in Australia, China, North and South America, Japan, Singapore, the United Kingdom, Europe, Korea, India and South East Asia.

Air New Zealand and Tourism New Zealand have undertaken cooperative marketing activity under an annual memorandum of understanding since 2014. During this time, the value of international tourism to New Zealand has grown from $10.4 billion to $16.2 billion.

The partnership has resulted in a stronger New Zealand share of voice in large and competitive global markets, as well as collaborative efforts to leverage major opportunities and open up new markets aligned with the expansion of Air New Zealand’s global network.

Peter Beck takes out Supreme Award at the 2019 AmCham - DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards for companies doing business with the USA

AmCham was delighted to welcome the Hon Damien O’Connor as keynote speaker and presenter of the three key exporter awards as well as the newly arrived U.S. Deputy Chief of Mission, Kevin Covert presenting the Importer of the Year award.

Mark Foy, Country Manager for DHL Express New Zealand, said: “Peter Beck is an outstanding leading innovator in the space industry, who has grown his company over the last decade to a $2 billion entity today. Peter’s focus on continuous improvement and wanting to improve life on earth is a testament to his achievements. Peter has established strong relationships with the US market, a key trade lane and DHL congratulates him on his success.”

This year’s finalists came from across a variety of businesses covering gourmet pet food, eco-friendly beauty, butter, heavy equipment, aircraft engine reconditioning, technology, metals recycling, building products, tourism, education, meat, and organic feminine products.

See all photos from the night.

The Supreme Award is chosen from the winners of each of the categories presented on the night. The complete list of winners is as follows:

• ·       Bilateral Connections with the USA – Auckland Tourism, Events and Economic Development
• ·       Bilateral Entrepreneur/Innovator of the Year with the USA - Peter Beck of Rocket Lab
• ·       Contribution to Tourism with the USA – Regency Tourism Group
• ·       Importer of the Year from the USA – Protempo Ltd
• ·       Investor of the Year to or from the USA – ACCEL-KKR for their investment in Seequent Ltd
• ·       Exporter of the Year to the USA under $1 million – Whip Around (NZ) Ltd
• ·       Exporter of the Year to the USA $1 million to $10 million - Ethique Ltd
• ·       Exporter of the Year to the USA over $10 million – Ziwi Ltd
  
  Derek Syme, Chief Country Officer of Citibank NA NZ was presented with the Trevor Eagle memorial award as AmCham Supporter of the Year.

This year’s award finalists were some of the strongest AmCham has seen and so the judges awarded Highly Commended certificates to :
Hawai‘i Tourism Oceania
Organic Initiative Ltd
Pratt & Whitney Air New Zealand Services (trades as “Christchurch Engine Centre”)
The University of Auckland

The AmCham DHL Express Success & Innovation Awards celebrate success and innovation in the export, import and investment sectors between New Zealand and its third-largest trading partner, the USA.  Winners of the importer, exporter, tourism and bilateral connections awards categories receive an Economy Plus® Round Trip Ticket to the USA from United Airlines. 

In addition to AmCham, DHL-Express and United Airlines, the Awards are also supported by ANZ Bank, Auckland Airport, Ironside McDonald Intellectual Property, The Pullman Auckland Hotel, media partner The Business, wine sponsor Constellation Brands and event manager Lime & Soda.

Ben & Jerry's is set to give New Zealand a scoop of the American retail experience.

The American ice cream brand turned retailer will next week open its first cashless ice cream shop at Wellington Airport on August 17. It will trial Amazon Go-inspired payment with the intention of rolling it out to its other retail locations in New Zealand, and overseas.

Stephanie Tannous, Ben & Jerry's Australia and New Zealand brand lead, said New Zealand had a long-history of payment advances with the early introduction of Eftpos, the roll out of cashless payment systems across toll roads, parking and public transport, which made the capital the right place to trial a cashless store.

Tannous said the store would improve the customer experience, and free up staff and consumers. She said the store signalled Ben & Jerry's shift to meet consumer demands and advances in technology.

"Although we know the shift towards an entirely cashless system will require an initial adjustment process for consumers, we are confident with the technological progression in this space," she said.

"New Zealand is well on its way to being a cashless society already."

Ben & Jerry's would trial the cashless store for six months, and use findings as a basis for future store decisions, she said.

Read more

Plexure Group (NZX: PLX) has today signed a deal with United States’ fast-food burger chain White Castle, adding to the momentum reflected in its recently-announced FY19 annual result.

Plexure offers mobile customer engagement through personalised messaging.

Often hailed as America’s first fast-food chain, White Castle boasts almost 400 restaurants located across 13 states. Under the terms of agreement, Plexure will provide mobile engagement and loyalty capability through its intelligent marketing platform, helping White Castle strengthen its position in the US.

Plexure also works with McDonalds Japan and 7 Eleven Australia.

Chief Executive Craig Herbison says the new partnership is a clear validation of the Company’s hard work, refreshed focus and strengthened proposition.

“Plexure is delighted to partner with White Castle as a significant US customer and looks forward to powering its marketing efforts. This collaboration is testament to our continued drive to deliver a suite of world-class products and enhanced levels of customer engagement,” 

“We’re committed to helping White Castle activate mobile as a critical digital channel to its customers, to grow their value whilst enhancing the overall customer experience.”

Read more