New Zealand has plenty to brag about, Pass It On

Kiwi Expat Association (Kea) chairman Sir Stephen Tindall and hip hop star Savage today launched Pass It On, an initiative to turn the nearly million New Zealanders who live overseas into a network of virtual ambassadors.

Along with non-Kiwis who love New Zealand, our expats are being asked to tell their mates and business contacts about everything New Zealand has to offer, particularly when the eyes of the world are upon us before and during Rugby World Cup 2011.

“That is a huge overseas supporters club, both for the Men in Black and this country,” Sir Stephen said.

“The 2011 tournament is looming large on New Zealand’s horizon. Given how rare it is for this country to host a truly global event, it is the perfect opportunity for Kiwis abroad to re-connect with their homeland and tell everyone what is going on.

“From our fashion designers, to musicians, yacht designers, and superb pinot noir, we have talent and products which our international supporters club can spread the word about - before, during and after Rugby World Cup 2011.”

Kea has clicked on the childhood birthday party game of Chinese whispers and dragged it into the internet age. The message is: “New Zealand has plenty to brag about, Pass It On”.

There will be monthly prize draws for participants, with winners receiving outstanding Kiwi-centric prizes. A good example is the ‘Expat Reconnaissance Tour’, an opportunity for four Kiwis living overseas to bring their best non-Kiwi mates home for a week of experiences that highlight the very best New Zealand has to offer.

Kea Executive Director Ross McConnell says our musicians, film makers, fashion designers, and other business people can use Pass It On to network and engage with Kiwis and other friends of New Zealand living overseas.

“Many Kiwis have done incredibly well overseas, and have fantastic international networks as a result. This is a great opportunity for New Zealand to make the most of those connections, while Rugby World Cup 2011 is generating interest in everything we have to offer.”

Recording artists heading overseas will have a much better chance to follow the successful path of Savage with a foot in the door from Pass It On, says Music Commission chief executive Cath Andersen.

“It is not easy to make it overseas. Pass It On is exactly the sort of initiative which can help our emerging talent break through on the world stage.”

“The project will give us a legacy and a lasting database of contacts well after the final whistle has blown at Eden Park.”

How Pass It On works

Visit the Pass It On website www.passiton.co.nz to try it out for yourself. The site includes video profiles, information about what’s happening in New Zealand in 2011, and ways for the individuals or companies being profiled to “ask” the Pass It On network for help and support (e.g. market insights, and overseas introductions).

Note to Editors:

Pass It On is supported by a variety of organisations and businesses which have assisted Kea New Zealand in bringing the project to life. They include:

Major Funding Partners
- Telecom New Zealand
- Fifteen of the regional economic development agencies
- Air New Zealand
- Seasonz Travel
- Hospitality NZ 2011
- The Tindall Foundation

Global Distribution Partners (to help reach international Kiwis)
- University alumni associations
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- NZ Edge
- Oldfriends.co.nz

Content partners
- Film Commission
- Music Commission
- Science NZ
- NZ Winegrowers
- Fashion Industry NZ
- The Big Idea
- NZ Information & Communications Technology Group
- Tourism Industry Association
- The Royal Society
- The Icehouse
- New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.