Welcome to New Zealand

Part of the global community

New Zealand is a great place to work and do business. We have an open, successful economy with an entrepreneurial and innovative business sector, and a policy environment that strongly supports trade and investment. We’re a small country, but one that’s committed to being part of the global community.

Overcoming the challenges of our geographic location and connecting with global markets for goods and services as well as ideas, technology and people, has been critical to our economic performance.

We have had to learn to compete, diversifying our export mix and our markets and taking full advantage of our innovative and creative approach to deliver the kind of living standards we want for ourselves and our children.

New Zealand is doing better than most in the current difficult economic environment and I am optimistic about the future. We are approaching the challenges of the economic downturn with an appropriate New Zealand response and are not relying on overseas models.

Thinking outside the square

New Zealanders have been doing that for years – thinking outside the square. New Zealand firms are remarkably resilient.

Our young people have always spent time living, working and doing business internationally bringing their skills and experience to the New Zealand economy. Those skills and experience, that creativity and innovation will also help us ride out the recession. All this makes New Zealand an attractive place to live and work.

Work hard while you are here, but make the most of the opportunity to experience the lifestyle that New Zealand has become known for.

Welcome to New Zealand.

Hon Gerry Brownlee Minister of Economic Development