NZ-Philippines Business Forum strengthens cross-Pacific trade ties for Filipino operators

The Philippine Embassy is convening a Philippines-New Zealand Business Forum in Wellington, alongside a NZ business mission to the Philippines, opening new opportunities for Filipino-owned businesses on both sides of the Pacific.

The Philippine Embassy in New Zealand has announced a major business initiative: the Philippines-New Zealand Business Forum, scheduled for 25 May 2026 in Wellington, bringing together entrepreneurs, trade officials, and industry leaders from both countries.

The forum aims to strengthen commercial connections between the two nations, with a particular focus on sectors where Filipino operators have established strong footholds in New Zealand: food and beverage, healthcare, construction, professional services, and digital technology.

For Filipino business owners already operating in New Zealand, the forum presents opportunities to explore import and export channels, connect with Philippine suppliers, and learn about government-supported trade programmes that can help scale their operations.

Alongside the Wellington forum, the embassy has invited New Zealand-based businesses to join a formal business mission to the Philippines in November 2026. The mission will include trade briefings, site visits, networking events, and one-on-one matchmaking with Philippine companies.

The New Zealand Embassy in Manila has also signalled its commitment to deepening the relationship, noting that 2025 was a landmark year for bilateral cooperation and that the momentum is carrying into 2026 with expanded trade facilitation and closer economic ties.

Filipino-owned businesses in New Zealand that import goods from the Philippines, export products and services back to the Philippine market, or serve as cultural and commercial bridges between the two countries stand to benefit most from these initiatives.