MFAT’s twice postponed Diplomatic Study Tour for Ambassadors to the Bay of Plenty and Waikato regions was well-worth waiting for.
The Bay of Plenty program for 37 New Zealand and Australian-based Ambassadors focused on Tauranga, as a key economic hub in the upper North Island and home to New Zealand’s largest port. The delegation received information on the region’s innovation, education, trade and tourism activities, scouting for new relationships. Visits to Zespri, Robotics Plus, University of Waikato Tauranga Campus, a Coastal Marine Field Station, and the great dinner at Toi Ohomai will all be well-remembered. The Waikato segment showcased the region’s strengths and opportunities for economic development, through networking events with business leaders and local governments at the Zealong Tea Estate and later at the Waikato Innovation Park. The tour provided the first opportunity for many Ambassadors to get a deeper understanding of Māori traditions and business connections. First being greeted at Huria Marae in Tauranga, the group was then officially welcomed by King Tuheitia at Turangawaewae Marae in Ngāruawāhia.
Hungarian businesses and universities have great opportunities in the region therefore, we will be back after the local elections!
