Big hitters descend on Bay as summit promises $100m of deals

Next week's Taniwha Dragon Economic Summit is an opportunity to highlight successful existing trade relationships and start new ones, says NKKI chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana.

Three prime ministers and captains of industry are to feature at next week's Taniwha Dragon Economic Summit.

Hosted by Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated (NKII) and running Monday and Tuesday next week, NKII chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana described it as an opportunity to highlight successful existing trade relationships and start new ones. He said $100m worth of deals done over the two days was expected and Prime Minister Bill English would attend.

Co-host is Chairman Chan of Lei Garden, a chain of 26 restaurants with several having won a Michelin Star. Chairman Chan plans to procure Hawke's Bay produce for a planned chain of 200 to 300 bistro restaurants in Asia.

Day one speakers include Ali Baba Australasian director of business development John O'Loughlen, Xero CEO Rod Drury, Samoa Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegao, Alan Buckner of Fiordand Lobster, Minister of Finance Steven Joyce, Trade Minister Todd McClay, John Bostock of Bostock New Zealand and Mr Apple owner Scales Corporation's CEO Andy Borland, Zhou Jinwang of Shanghai Fisheries, Paul Morgan of Whakatu Inc (the producer of Tohu Wines and the Kono brand), Alan Buckner of Fiordland Lobster and Sir Don McKinnon.

Sir Don is a former deputy prime minister, former Commonwealth Secretary Genreal and chairman of the New Zealand-China Council.

Dinner is at Craggy Range Winery.

Day two kicks off with a speech from Minister for Economic Development Simon Bridges followed by panel discussions including Simon Lin of Guangzhou Hanson Import & Export Trading, Ngati Whatua's Ngarimu Blair, Chairman Jianga Zhaobai of Shanghai Pengxin (the second-largest fishing company in China) and Kingi Smiler of Miraka Dairy.

Speakers include Cook Island Prime Minister Henry Puna, Gisborne mayor Meng Foon, Air New Zealand's Andrew Baker and Lisa Li of China Travel Service NZ.

The summit will be held at recently-built Clubs Hastings, with a powhiri, dinner and entertainment at Waipatu Marae in Hastings on Sunday.

NKKI chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana said "the biggest hitters in the Chinese, New Zealand, Maori and Pacific economies will be presenting business proposals to be snapped up" during the summit assisted by many networking opportunities.

"There will be something for everyone, from small one-man band enterprises to mega-players, but $100m worth of deals is the goal during the two days of the summit."