Last month the we held our first event in Auckland, New Zealand including a panel discussion and internal business workshop. This was a terrific opportunity work with the local representatives from our member companies including NAB and BNZ, IAG and Nestlé, and to learn more about the unique opportunities and social issues facing New Zealand.

Over 60 people from a wide variety of sectors including corporates, consultants, academia and not-for-profits, had the opportunity to learn more about shared value and the Shared Value Project at a panel briefing in Auckland. The event, hosted by BNZ and facilitated by Sasha Courville, Head of Corporate Responsibility at NAB, brought together a panel of shared value leaders from the Asia Pacific region who expanded on their experiences in taking on shared value company-wide, through different initiatives. Panel members included Veronique Cremades, NZ CEO and Country Manager, Nestlé; Bryce Davies, Senior Manager of Government and Stakeholder Relations at IAG New Zealand;  Hinemaua Rikirangi, Senior Manager, Maori Business at BNZ, and Helen Steel, Executive Director of the Shared Value Project.

Our mission is to continue leading the development of shared value in the Asia Pacific region. With interest in shared value growing among New Zealand companies we see a lot of potential to deliver local programmes and establish a membership base and community of practice. It is our intention to explore the development of a local steering committee to initiate an approach best suited to the New Zealand market