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About the event

Join us for the Korea–New Zealand Smart Cooperation Forum 2025 on Friday, 24 October in Grand Millennium Auckland.

This special forum marks the 10th anniversary of the Korea–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (KNZFTA) and brings together government, industry, and innovation leaders from both countries to celebrate a decade of partnership and explore new opportunities.

This event is an unmissable platform for networking, insights, and building the next chapter of bilateral collaboration between Korea and New Zealand.

This event is co-hosted by the Korea New Zealand Business Council (KNZBC), the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and New Zealand Trade & Enterprises.

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Event Sponsors

Supporting Partners

agenda

Friday, 24 Oct 2025

    • Jack Holloway, Trade Strategist at Fonterra & KNZBC Board Member

    • Maurice Crosby, Chairman of Korea - New Zealand Business Council, former CEO of Jack Link’s NZ

    • H.E Changsik Kim, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to New Zealand

    • Hon Brooke van Velden, Minister of Internal Affairs and for Workplace Relations and Safety

    • Suzannah Jessep, Chief Executive, Asia New Zealand Foundation

  • Gain deep insights into how New Zealand businesses are navigating the Korean market, exploring the unique opportunities, potential barriers, and strategies for success. Panellists will share experiences in sectors such as agrifood, clean tech, and education, with forward-looking perspectives on Korea’s evolving economy.

    Moderated by: Gareth Coleman Head of Trade and Supply Chain at ANZ

    • Tana Isaac, Executive Vice President at Volpara Health

    • Justine Arroll, General Manager Trade Strategy at Fonterra

    • Tom MacMorran Head of Asia Supply at Zespri International

  • To commemorate a decade of the Korea–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (KNZFTA), the Korea New Zealand Business Council is proud to acknowledge companies that have demonstrated exceptional leadership, long-term commitment, and innovation in strengthening the bilateral economic relationship.

    Presented by: Dahee Sohn, Executive Director, Korea New Zealand Business Council

Part 1: Reflecting on 10 Years of Partnership of Korea & New Zealand

    • Simon Ansley, Investment Director, Invest New Zealand

    • Changhoon Seo, Director, KIND (Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development)

  • Bring together Korean and New Zealand infrastructure leaders to discuss the current investment environment, project pipeline, and innovation needs in New Zealand’s infrastructure sector. The discussion will address public–private collaboration, clean energy integration, and long-term infrastructure resilience in areas such as transport, energy, and heavy industry.

    Moderated by: Hayden Mackenzie - Head of Energy Investment at Invest New Zealand

    • Keeyoun Shim, Regional Director, Hyundai E&C

    • Bong Joo Kim, Executive Vice President, Samsung C&T

    • Joonyoung Park, Senior Commercial Manager, Hyosung Heavy Industries

    • Stephanie Ward, Partner, KPMG New Zealand

    • Rob Buchanan, Chief Executive Officer, Channel Infrastructure

    • Hon. Shane Jones, Minister for Resources & Regional Development

    • Kerrin Connolly, Manager Commercial Investment, MBIE

  • Bongman Ko, Managing Director, KOMIR (Korea Mine Rehabilitation & Mineral Resources Corporation)

  • Moderated by: Hayden Mackenzie - Head of Energy Investment at Invest New Zealand

    • Mina Hwang, POSCO Australia

    • Minjae Kim, Managing Director, POSCO International

    • Nathan Jones, General Counsel, NZ Steel

    • Matthew Black, Chief Executive & GM, NZ Aluminium Smelter (Acting)

    • Mark Chadderton, Chief Executive Officer, Aspiring Materials

    • Hon Melissa Lee List MP, National Party

    • Simon Bridges, Chief Executive of Auckland Business Chamber

Part 2: Strategic Foundations for Tomorrow in infrastructure and Energy

Speakers & Guests

  • H.E Changsik Kim

    Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to New Zealand.

  • Maurice Crosby

    KNZBC Chair, former CEO of Jack Link’s New Zealand

  • Hon Brooke van Velden

    Minister of Internal Affairs and for Workplace Relations and Safety, NZ Parliament

  • Simon Bridges

    Chief Executive of Auckland Business Chamber

  • Hon Melissa Lee

    List MP, National Party

  • Suzannah Jessep

    Chief Executive, Asia New Zealand Foundation

  • Tana Isaac

    Executive Vice President Product and Technology at Volpara Health

  • Justine Arroll

    GM Trade Strategy at Fonterra

  • Tom MacMorran

    Head of Asia Supply at Zespri International

  • Gareth Coleman

    Head of Trade and Supply Chain at ANZ

  • Simon Ansley

    Investment Director, Invest NZ

  • Changhoon Seo

    Director, Korea Overseas Infrastructure & Urban Development

  • Hayden Mackenzie

    Head of Energy Investment at Invest New Zealand

  • Kee Youn (Liam) Shim

    Regional Director Hyundai E&C Sydney Office

  • Rob Buchanan

    CEO, Channel Infrastructure

  • Bong Joo Kim

    Executive Vice President, Samsung C&T

  • Stephanie Ward

    Partner KPMG, Infrastructure and Government Commercial Advisor

  • Joonyoung Park

    Senior Commercial Manager, Hyosung Heavy Industries

  • Hon Shane Jones (Remote)

    Minister for Resources & Regional Development, NZ Parliament

  • Kerrin Connolly

    Manager Commercial Investment, MBIE

  • Bongman Ko

    Managing Director of Kores Australia, Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources (KOMIR)

  • Matthew Black

    Acting Chief Executive & GM at New Zealand's Aluminium Smelter | NZAS

  • Min Jae Kim

    Managing Director

    POSCO International

  • Mina Hwang

    Investment Director

    POSCO Australia

  • Nathan Jones

    General Counsel at NZ Steels

  • Mark Chadderton

    Chief Executive Officer

    Aspiring Materials

  • Kangwook Jeon

    First Secretary, Embassy of the Republic of Korea

  • Jack Holloway

    Trade Strategist at Fonterra

    MC for the event

  • Dahee Sohn

    Executive Director, Korea New Zealand Business Council

Venue & Date

Grand Millennium Hotel

71 Mayoral Drive, Auckland 1010

Friday, 24 October 2025

10 AM – 4 PM

 

Forum Themes

Smart Cooperation Forum 2025 will bring together experts and leaders to discuss emerging opportunities in infrastructure, energy, and sustainable development. The thematic sessions will reflect on the past decade and explore future pathways for strategic collaboration.

Themes include:

  • Celebrating 10 Years of the Korea–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

  • Bilateral Economic Cooperation and Strategic Partnerships

  • Infrastructure Development and Investment

  • Minerals and Renewable Energy Opportunities.

Program Overview

Smart Cooperation Forum 2025 will be structured into two sessions, each highlighting a key phase of the Korea–New Zealand relationship: reflecting on the past decade and shaping the next.

Part 1. Morning Session

Reflecting on 10 Years of Partnership

The morning session will feature keynote speeches, a cross-market business panel, and a special recognition ceremony for organizations who have made outstanding contributions to the Korea–New Zealand relationship. This session will focus on lessons learned, milestones achieved, and the evolution of economic collaboration since the KNZFTA was signed.

Key Topics:

  • Celebrating 10 Years of the Korea–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement

  • Bilateral Economic Cooperation and Strategic Partnerships

Part 2. Afternoon Session

Strategic Foundations for Tomorrow

Looking ahead, the afternoon session will focus on emerging opportunities for collaboration in high-impact sectors. With a spotlight on infrastructure, clean energy, and critical minerals, this session aims to spark strategic dialogue around investment, sustainability, and shared innovation for the decade to come.

Key Topics:

  • Infrastructure Development and Investment

  • Minerals and Renewable Energy Opportunities

Why Attend?

Celebrate 10 years of the Korea–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement with leaders from government and industry.

Gain insights on trade, infrastructure, energy, and minerals.

Hear real business stories, discover new opportunities, and connect with partners driving the future of Korea–NZ cooperation.