Toespraak van minister Kamp bij de 'start of the New Zealand Trade Mission' in Wellington

Toespraak | 07-11-2016

Your Excellency,

Ladies and gentlemen,

4 centuries ago was an exciting period in European history. It was a time of proud seafaring nations, dangerous voyages into the unknown, the birth of global trade and the discoveries of new lands. One of the brave explorers of that time was Abel Tasman, who became the first European to set foot in New Zealand. Next year will mark the 375th anniversary of that historic event.

Today, we follow in Abel Tasman’s footsteps with this trade mission of our own. We will visit Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland and perhaps reconnect with some of the 150,000 New Zealanders with Dutch roots. But mainly we will do what Abel Tasman did back then: explore opportunities for trade.

The last Dutch trade mission to New Zealand was 25 years ago. Understandable considering the distance between us, but surprising if you look at the natural connections that exist between us. We are both powerhouses in the field of agri-food, for example, both strong innovators and we both enjoy an international reputation for high-quality products.

Trade between The Netherlands and New Zealand is still modest, but I am confident that your ambitions and entrepreneurial spirit will change that. Interest for this mission certainly exceeded expectations and there are now almost 60 Dutch companies participating from a wide variety of industries.  

What we will find is a dynamic, open, and ambitious country with strong economic growth. One that is second on the World Bank Ease of Doing Business ranking. One with a healthy banking sector and culture very much like ours: direct, honest and based on trust. And one whose economy and society is dealing with challenges that can be fertile ground for co-operation.

In agri food, a key national industry, New Zealand is facing fierce global competition and the need to mitigate the industry’s environmental impact. This means there is an opportunity for Dutch companies to contribute to a more effective and sustainable food system. For example by using Dutch technologies for a closed system for water and nutrients in horticultural production or by sharing ways in which farmers can reduce greenhouse emissions of their livestock.  

The agri-food industry is currently the one with the highest levels of co-operation between our countries. Fonterra, the world’s largest dairy producer, has a joint venture with Dutch dairy co-operative Royal FrieslandCampina, while Royal A-Ware and Fonterra are involved in a 150 million euro joint venture in Heerenveen. Massey University and Wageningen University and Research, meanwhile, are also close partners, and later this week they intend to sign an agreement that will extend their co-operation.

Apart from food, I think that water, maritime and infrastructure are areas with great potential and even some early deals. In the maritime industry, for example, we see opportunities for upgrading the country’s ports and maritime transport, both key to sustaining New Zealand’s exports. I understand that De Boer Dutch Dredging has won a 10-year contract for maintaining a number of ports.

In infrastructure, New Zealand is tackling an overheated housing market, particularly in Auckland, and dealing with the aftermath of the 2011 earthquake. Christchurch suffered casualties and much structural damage, and the city is still being rebuilt. Hopefully Dutch companies will be able to contribute to that, and I congratulate Heijmans on an agreement with local engineering leader Fulton Hogan.

Dutch water expertise can also be of value to New Zealand. Droughts and the agri food industry’s reliance on water means that there is a major need for sustainable water management and high-quality water infrastructure. The Dutch excel in both areas and I am please that research organisations Deltares and GNS Science are about to sign an agreement to co-operate on mapping ground water and other issues.

Ladies and gentlemen,

We have come a long way to visit our friends here who, frankly speaking, we have lost touch with a little bit. But our historic ties and our cultural connections are strong, and our challenges and ambitions are complementary. So perhaps this mission will mark a new era in Dutch and New Zealand relations, which can flourish in spite of the distance. I wish you all the best exploring this beautiful country and future partnerships. Thank you!