Global trade, supply chains and India's rise: What Canterbury businesses need to know
Global trade continues to evolve at pace, creating both challenges and opportunities for New Zealand businesses.
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Global Trade Breakfast, where we explored the forces reshaping international trade and what they mean for exporters, importers and businesses looking to grow internationally.
A special thank you to Her Excellency Ms Muanpuii Saiawi, High Commissioner of India to New Zealand, for sharing her insights into the rapidly strengthening New Zealand–India relationship, and to our expert speakers Simon Dedman, Managing Director of Kuehne+Nagel New Zealand, and Keith Mitchell, Customer Manager at NZTE, for providing practical perspectives from the front line of global trade.
While the global environment remains complex, one message came through consistently: businesses that invest in resilience, adaptability and strong partnerships will be best placed to succeed.
Supply chain disruption is becoming the new normal
Simon Dedman explained that global supply chain disruption is no longer temporary—it's become the operating environment. From geopolitical tensions and shipping disruptions to changing trade policy and capacity constraints, businesses are navigating continual uncertainty rather than waiting for conditions to stabilise.
For New Zealand, our geographic isolation adds further complexity. Shipping reliability into Oceania remains among the lowest globally, while freight costs are unlikely to return to pre-pandemic levels.
The message was clear: businesses should move beyond designing supply chains solely for efficiency and instead build resilience through greater flexibility, diversified routes, stronger logistics partnerships and improved visibility across their operations.
India offers significant long-term opportunity
Her Excellency highlighted the opportunities emerging through the New Zealand–India Free Trade Agreement, with strong potential across agribusiness, food and beverage, manufacturing, technology and services.
India's growing middle class, expanding digital economy and increasing demand for premium products present exciting prospects for New Zealand exporters.
However, both Her Excellency and Keith Mitchell emphasised that India is not a single market. Success requires understanding the country's diverse states, cultures and regulatory environments, investing in relationships and seeking expert local advice before entering the market.
Technology is transforming supply chains
Artificial intelligence is already delivering practical benefits across global logistics.
Simon shared examples of AI helping automate documentation and booking processes, reducing manual administration while improving productivity. At the same time, businesses were encouraged to establish responsible AI policies to ensure new technologies are adopted securely and effectively.
Building resilience is a competitive advantage
Across the morning, a consistent theme emerged.
Whether responding to global disruption, entering new export markets or embracing emerging technologies, resilience is becoming a key competitive advantage. Businesses that remain agile, diversify where appropriate and build trusted partnerships will be better positioned to navigate uncertainty and seize new opportunities.
Finally
Thank you once again to Her Excellency Ms Muanpuii Saiawi, Simon Dedman and Keith Mitchell for generously sharing their expertise, for Kuehne+Nagel and Lyttleton Port Company for their support to make this event happen and to everyone who joined us for a valuable morning of discussion and practical insights.
Business Canterbury will continue bringing together business leaders, industry experts and decision-makers to explore the issues shaping our region's future. We look forward to welcoming you to our upcoming events, including our South Island Election Conference, as we continue these important conversations.
