NZTE appoints retail managers for New Zealand Focu

NZTE appoints retail managers for New Zealand Focus

28 April, 2005 – New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) has appointed a Hong Kong-based importer of quality New Zealand products, Extra Rations Limited (ERL), to manage the retail centre in its New Zealand Focus concept store in Hong Kong.

ERL is owned by Mike and Lilian Haynes, who also own sister company, Northeast Wines and Spirits Ltd (NEWS), an import and distribution business that has been conducting retail and wholesale operations in Hong Kong for the past 12 years. The company imports a wide range of New Zealand wine, water and apple juice into Hong Kong.

New Zealand Focus is a New Zealand-branded retail and information centre that will operate out of a 6,800 square foot, three level property located in the heart of Causeway Bay, Hong Kong’s busiest thoroughfare.

It is the first of a number of initiatives NZTE has planned in Hong Kong and China this year to help New Zealand business take advantage of export opportunities in North Asia.

The retail operation will be located on the ground floor and will showcase New Zealand food and beverage and natural health products. The area will sell a mix of products that are already available in Hong Kong, along with others that are new to the market.

NZTE Senior Trade Commissioner North Asia, Merv Stark, says ERL has been selected from a number of companies who expressed interest in managing the retail operation.

“ERL is a good fit with the New Zealand Focus retail operation. The company has a 12 year history of trading with New Zealand exporters and the owners have a real passion for New Zealand’s quality products.

“In addition, they have significant experience in the North Asia market and will be well-placed to promote New Zealand products to consumers both in Hong Kong, and in Mainland China.”

ERL director Mike Haynes says there is a growing demand for New Zealand origin products in Hong Kong.

“New Zealand products are increasingly recognised for their innovation, freshness, quality, and the clean, green nature of their production.

“We have been looking for an opportunity to increase our association with New Zealand and welcome the chance to be involved in New Zealand Focus.

“The centre provides the perfect vehicle to showcase the best of New Zealand’s food, beverage and natural products, while also allowing exporters to test their products for market suitability. It’s a win-win situation for New Zealand exporters and Hong Kong consumers alike,” says Mr Haynes.

New Zealand Focus is expected to open in August this year.

Information areas for students wanting to study in New Zealand and for people interested in tourism and business in New Zealand will be located in the centre, while there is also space for business presentations and functions, and exhibitions of contemporary New Zealand art and design.

Mr Stark says a number of other New Zealand companies have already indicated they would like to be involved in New Zealand Focus. Companies interested in having their products in New Zealand Focus should call NZTE’s enterprise hotline on 0800 555 888. More information is available at HYPERLINK "http://www.nzte.govt.nz/chinahongkong" www.nzte.govt.nz/chinahongkong

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