Kiwi Corporate's Love of Petanque Rolls Open Opportunities

For Immediate Release

25th February 2015

“Pétanque has Swank”

Kiwi Corporate's Love of the Game Rolls Open Business Opportunities

A fruit fly outbreak in the neighbourhood hasn’t deterred corporate pétanque lovers from snapping up tickets to the French New Zealand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FNZCCI) annual summer event to be held at the Herne Bay Pétanque Club tomorrow afternoon.

This year the special guest of honour is former MP, Dr Cam Calder who was one of the first to introduce New Zealanders to the game of pétanque over twenty years ago. He is a previous President of the French New Zealand Business Council and a past member of the executive committee of the F.I.P.J.P., the world governing body for pétanque.

“It’s a huge privilege to be part of this celebration with the French New Zealand Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The French have exported pétanque to the world and it is now the game for all New Zealand. Members of the FNZCCI are ensuing New Zealanders have access to the best of French ingenuity and flair with the myriad of products and services the members are bringing to New Zealand” says Dr Calder.

Year on year attendances at the February fixture sponsored by Aircalin have mirrored the global rise in popularity of this quintessentially French past time. It is played all over the globe, the Seattle Times reports “Pétanque has swank,” even the Thai army are keen participants in tournaments sponsored by the Royal Family. Over 50 countries took part in last year’s World Pétanque Championship.

Current President of the French New Zealand Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Ms Nadine Plet encourages Auckland business people to come along as pétanque provides the perfect platform for corporates to play and network.

“It’s an effective catalyst for new and exciting business partnerships to grow outside of the office. Word is fast getting out amongst Auckland businesses about what we do and always at the heart of our events is a good dose of Francophile fun, delicious food and of course, French wine.”

Plet firmly believes that each year with the chamber’s help, a typical Kiwi corporate's fascination with France combined with a love of pétanque rolls open many business opportunities for enthusiasts that’s sustained well beyond the clubhouse.

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Background:

French New Zealand Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FNZCCI)

The FNZCCI is an incorporated society which is affiliated with the Union of French international Chambers of Commerce and Industry (UCCIFE). The primary purpose of the FNZCCI is to promote the voluntary association of business people and business organisations between New Zealand, France and the French Pacific Territories. It also promotes and extends opportunities for mutually prosperous, amicable economic, social and commercial relationships between individuals, firms and companies, corporations, institutions and associations between New Zealand, France and the French Pacific Territories.

The organisation is very active in the community and holds events throughout the year with Bastille Day (July), Beaujolais Nouveau (November), social pétanque and networking events.

Website: http://www.fnzcci.org.nz

LinkedIn: here

President, Ms Nadine Plet

President, Ms Nadine Plet has been awarded the highest honour by the French government, ‘Chevalier de la Légion d’Honneur’ for originally setting up the Petit Lascar playgroup for children and Frenz School Inc which implemented the first French-English Bilingual Unit at Richmond Road Primary school in Ponsonby.

Dr Cam Calder

Dr Calder was an MP from 2009 to 2014.

He previously served as President of the French New Zealand Business Council and has served on the committee of the international governing body for pétanque, the F.I.P.J.P. He was one of the early importers of pétanque into New Zealand. Along with Jorge Schulz, Christian Fouquet and Chris Priestley, he founded the New Zealand Pétanque Association and also the Herne Bay Pétanque Club.

Aircalin

Founded in 1983, Aircalin is New Caledonia’s international airline, operating flights to the Pacific Region countries and providing a gateway to the world.

The airline has a fleet of Airbus A330-200 and A320 aircraft, Aircalin operates 22 international flights to 11 destinations from Noumea: Tokyo, Osaka, Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Auckland, Port Vila, Nadi, Wallis, Futuna and Papeete. The airline also fulfils a public service mission by operating daily flights between the islands of Wallis and Futuna using 19-seater twin-otter aircraft.

Aircalin has also developed commercial agreements with several airlines to over 100 cities from New Caledonia.

From New Zealand Aircalin offers five flights every week from Auckland with some supplementary services at certain times of the year.

Website: www.aircalin.com

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