Optimus Group provides end-to-end automotive services: they source, import/export, ship and deliver vehicles; handle inspection, quarantine, compliance and logistics; offer retail and wholesale vehicle financing; and manage vehicle retailing, distribution, and post-sale servicing. Martin McCullough is a director and Head of Logistics at Optimus Group (since June 2015). He also serves as a director of Dolphin Shipping New Zealand Ltd. (from 2012) and Fasttrack Automotive Compliance 2006 Ltd. (from 2016), which are part of Optimus’s wider logistics and compliance operations.

Foresta NZ Ltd is an innovative resource, energy and biotechnology sector company positioning itself to become a leading global supplier of natural and renewable pine chemicals and torrefied wood pellets which are a drop-in coal replacement. Foresta is in the process of establishing its first plant in New Zealand, which will use proprietary technology to extract natural pine chemicals, where they displace the need for petroleum-based chemicals and manufacture torrefied “black” wood pellets that can be used as a substitute for coal in commercial and industrial uses, including electricity generation.

Take a look at some of the photos from the recent conference.

https://www.jnzbc.com/2025-conference-photos

Click here to read the Joint Statement.

Beca is one of Asia Pacific’s largest independent advisory, design and engineering consultancies. After a century of operation, the company has grown from a family-owned business to become one of the most progressive, client-centric professional services consultancies in the Asia Pacific region. With more than 4,000 employees in 24 offices around the world Beca has delivered projects in more than 70 countries. https://www.beca.com/
Beca welcomed JNZBC members to a tour of its new global headquarters in the Innovation Precinct, Wynyard Quarter. Dr David Carter and a number of the company's leaders spoke about Beca's work in Primary Industry, Renewable Energy, Maori Business, and the Aerospace sector.

Carbona is a project enabler that uses proven technology solutions from its Austrian parent company, Polytechnik, to transform biomass into a renewable energy source. Carbona provides processing solutions to produce torrefied biomass as a 'drop-in' fuel, seamlessly replacing coal in boiler plants and carbonised products like biocoal and biochar for carbon capture, soil improvement, animal health, filtration, cement and steelmaking. Carbona’s full-service offering covers all phases of a torrefaction or carbonisation project, from feasibility studies to identify the best biomass residue and ensuring sustainability. We customise processing solutions for optimal conversion and compliance, and strategically design the facilities’ logistics for efficiency and the lowest environmental impact.

Murray Sturgeon is set to retire at the end of September 2025, concluding a long and respected career in the forestry and wood processing industries. Read the full story.

With over 25 years of dedicated presence in New Zealand, Yokogawa has been a trusted partner in advancing the nation’s industrial landscape. Through world-class process control instrumentation, engineering excellence, and responsive service, we have helped shape the quality, safety, and sustainability of critical infrastructure across water, food, energy, and minerals sectors.

Tatsumi NZ is revolutionising strawberry farming in Clive, Hawke’s Bay, with its cutting-edge facility, enabling year-round production and export to Japan. With an expansive above-ground growing space and an impressive 150-tonne annual output, Tatsumi NZ is set to redefine success in the industry.

Eastland Generation is an experienced developer, acquirer and operator of renewable energy plants. Our diverse portfolio includes three geothermal plants in the Bay of Plenty with a fourth under construction; a hydro-electric station in Hawkes Bay; and a solar facility in Tairāwhiti. Eastland Generation is co-owned by Eastland Group and Obayashi Corporation. The partnership with Obayashi Corporation strengthens Eastland Generation’s financial and technical capabilities. It enables us to share expertise, accelerate innovation and continue to expand our portfolio, while maintaining our strong community and partnership model. Together, we are actively exploring additional renewable energy development projects. We are proud to be helping drive transformative change in the energy sector and contributing to New Zealand’s carbon reduction targets.

JNZBC members were pleased to host Lucy Duncan, Deputy Chief Executive, MFAT, to a business lunch at the Northern Club in Auckland on Thursday 21 August.  This was a great opportunity for members to meet Lucy and exchange information on the cornerstone importance of the trade and economic relationship between New Zealand and Japan.  Lucy was in Auckland on a busy round of pre-posting calls before leaving for Japan where she will become New Zealand's first female Head of Mission leading the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo following the departure of Hamish Cooper to become New Zealand High Commissioner in London. 

On August 18, commencing at 14:55 p.m. for approximately 20 minutes, Mr. IWAYA Takeshi, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, held a telephone meeting with Rt. Hon. Winston Peters, Minister for Foreign Affairs of New Zealand. Click here for the overview of the meeting.

MFAT commissioned a research report on Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Use of Preferential Tariffs in the Japan Market, specifically for seafood and wine. The research mainly focused on utilisation of tariff preferences under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Read more

NZ Businesses: Ready to Grow in Japan? Join Unoversity of Auckland’s MBA Market Research Project

“We’re looking for NZ companies keen to explore growth opportunities in Japan with the support of a team of our MBA candidates. This could include launching a new product or service, entering a new market, or developing new channels.”

Click here for details

Culture Hospitality Group is a boutique hospitality specialist with operations in New Zealand and Japan. The group focuses on hotel and food & beverage franchising, management, consultancy, and investment. With a firm belief that exceptional accommodation and dining experiences go hand in hand, Culture Hospitality Group is committed to redefining the future of boutique hospitality. Its first hotel brand is set to launch in late 2026 in Hokkaido, Japan, through its wholly owned Japanese subsidiary.

Many thanks to EY for hosting a wonderful event in Christchurch, with Mark Rocket as the guest speaker. Click on this post for further details.

Click here for a link to Mark’s presentation.

The 2025 JNZBC Conference will be held in Rotorua from 23 -25 November.

Conference Programme Outline - click here.

Conference Registration Form - click here.

Conference Hotel Registration (Novotel/Ibis) - click here.

Conference Golf Registration - click here.

Japan has introduced new rules that come into effect on 1 June 2025 for food containers and packaging. The changes mean a shift to a “positive list” for synthetic materials that can be included in food containers, packaging, and equipment put up for sale in Japan. This report provides information on these changes, as well as where more information can be found.
Click here for details

The rapid escalation of global trade tensions in recent months has generated a highly uncertain trading environment, which is expected to weigh on global growth. Tariff hikes have started to impact some international merchandise trade flows, with Chinese exports to the United States in April around 20% lower compared to the same month a year ago. The fall in exports to the US looks to have been diverted to markets in Asia and Europe.
Click here for details.

Kōrero.Online is an online Māori language school. From the basics, karakia, mihi & pepeha, to fluency, our expert kaiako guide you on your journey. Develop a deeper understanding of te ao Māori & tikanga through personal, private & purposeful learning. Korero.Online is part of the Inkstone Ecosystem. Kia ora. Ko Whare tōku ingoa. Nō Tainui-Waikato raua ko Ngāpuhi ahau. My name is Whare. I am Kaiwhakawhanake Pakihi Mātua for Kōrero.Online. I am passionate about seeing te reo Māori flourish, and we have an awesome platform with kaiako who do private, one-on-one, 25-minute lessons. I look forward to working towards a bilingual society, and growing te reo here in Aotearoa and beyond one learner at a time! https://korero.online/