History of the GNZCC

Take a look at the history of the GNZCC, which formed the way we do business today.

Founded in 1983 as the New Zealand-German Business Association, also known as AHK New Zealand, the organization has become an important partner in promoting bilateral trade relations between Germany and New Zealand.

One of our main objectives is to advise German and New Zealand companies on market development and to support them in the initiation of business relations with the services of a full consulting division established to assist both German and New Zealand exporters and importers in their quest to establish a trading relationship. The GNZCC is active in the South Pacific as well – our area of responsibility includes the Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Niue, Samoa, Tonga and Tuvalu.

As a membership organisation the GNZCC offers an extensive networking platform with monthly newsletters and an annual publication, Double the Vision. Our know-how combined with the expertise of our partners make us a strong and competent partner for all your business needs. Membership is available to every company and individual involved in business relations between Germany and New Zealand. Our members come from a diverse group of industries.

The event division offers a regular series of educational workshops alongside frequent member events. The Oktoberfest, after taking a rest for a few years, relaunched and has grown into an integral part of the event offering, with more than 600 members and their staff and guests now attending.

Much has happened in this time. Therefore, we would like to share some highlights of our work with you:

40 Years AHK New Zealand

2023

2022

  • In July, the GNZCC officially opens a second office based in Wellington 
  • The chamber bids farewell to the Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany H.E. Stefan Krawielicki
  • After a two-year break due to COVID-19 the German Pavilion makes a return at New Zealand trade fairs (BuildNZ & EMEX)

2021

  • Due to COVID-19 the borders of New Zealand remained firmly shut throughout the year making travel/business and trade very difficult 
  • Auckland spent close to three months in lockdown to slow down the spread of COVID-19
  • The Chamber did manage to hold their 38th Annual General Meeting in person (prior to the three month lockdown)

2020

  • February 2020, visit of the Vice-president of the Bundestag, Mr. Wolfgang Kubicki
  • March 2020, the first German Carnival in New Zealand organised by the GNZCC Young Professionals
  • March/April 2020, GNZCC team help with the repatriation of over 10,000 EU/German tourists, as New Zealand shuts it's borders to foreigners due to COVID-19
  • June 2020, 37th Annual General Meeting at Häfele with the re-election of Mr. Jim Bibby as GNZCC President
  • November 2020, the official welcome of the new GNZCC Patron, Sir William Gallagher

2019

  • April 2019, German Pacific Parliamentary Group with Chairman MP Volkmar Klein (CDU/CSU)
  • April 2019, Visit of inaugural NZ prime Ministers Fellow for Germany MP Mark Hauptmann, a Member of the German Parliament
  • May 23rd 2019, 36th Annual General Meeting at STIHL
  • May 2019, first Participation in the Techweek with GTAI
  • June 2019, Made in Germany Pavilion at BuildNZ and Farewell of Ambassador Thiedemann
  • June 2019, for the first time the GNZCC was represented with a stand at the Fielddays
  • August 2019, celebration of 100 years Bauhaus with our member BSH/UNSER HAUS
  • August 2019, visit of Ulrich Lechte Member of the German Parliament
  • September 2019, Oktoberfest: At this years Oktoberfest we raised $7000 to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation
  • October 2019, visit of the Vice President of the Bundestag, Mr Opperman
  • October 2019, Konrad Adenauer Delegation - Energy Dialogue
  • October 2019, Trade delegation to Germany with New Zealand’s Trade Minister David Parker

2018

  • April 2018, Founding of the GNZCC Young Professionals a division of the German-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce especially for inspired young individuals interested in the German/New Zealand Trade relationship
  • May 2018, BIOFACH China – We had the honour to represent New Zealand as Country of the year, along with 15 companies exhibiting.
  • June 28th 2018, 35th Annual General Meeting at Bauer Media
  • August 2018, The GNZCC celebrated 35th Birthday of the Chamber
  • September 2018, Biggest Oktoberfest to date – We celebrated with over 650 guests and raised nearly $8000 for the Prostate Cancer foundation 
  • October 2018, We had the pleasure to organise a lunch with his Worship the Mayor of Wellington Justin Lester who has a special connection to Germany and is also fluent in German

2017

  • June 28, 2017: 34th Annual General Meeting; the new ambassador Gerhard Thiedemann was introduced
  • July 4, 2017: The New Zealand-German Business Association is officially named the "German-New Zealand Chamber of Commerce Inc." renamed
  • Oktoberfest 2017: At this year's Oktoberfest, we raised over $ 10,000 to support the Prostate Cancer Foundation
  • November 7, 2017: Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visited New Zealand and the GNZCC had the honour to welcome him

2016

  • Prof. Dr Norbert Lammert, President of the German Bundestag (Federal Parliament) visits Auckland and Wellington as a guest of the New Zealand Parliament
  • Visit of Delegation of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with Australia and New Zealand, led by Volkmar Klein
  • Organisation of a "Made in Germany"-pavilion at buildnz Canterbury 2016
  • Festive farewell of the German Ambassador to New Zealand, Dr. Anne-Marie Schleich, at a lunch with New Zealand Ambassador to Germany, Mr Rod Harris
  • 32nd Annual General Meeting; Mr Jim Bibby is elected president of the NZGBA
  • Publication of 10th edition of the annual NZGBA business magazine “Double the Vision”

2014

  • German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits New Zealand; the NZGBA has had the honour of welcoming the Chancellor with a cocktail event with more than 400 guests at the Auckland Art Gallery
  • Organisation of a "Made in Germany"-Pavilion at BuildNZ Canterbury 2014
  • Participation in and organisation of the export initiative "Energy Efficiency in Buildings 2013/2014" in cooperation with the German chamber in Australia - an initiative funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy
  • Public Viewings within the frames of the FIFA WorldCup 2014 and Germany becoming world champions
  • 30th Annual General Meeting, Mr Erich Bachmann is re-elected president of the NZGBA

2013

  • The NZGBA relocates to their new office, still located in Auckland's CBD
  • Festive Welcome of the new German Ambassador to New Zealand, Dr. Anne-Marie Schleich Participation at the Pacific Energy Summit in form of a German Pavilion
  • Organisation of a "Made in Germany"-Pavilion at BuildNZ 2013
  • Organisation of a Tour for German companies through Christchurch's Red Zone
  • A New Zealand Business Delegation is accompanied to Germany within the frames of renewable energies
  • 30th anniversary of the NZGBA
  • 29th Annual General Meeting, Mr Erich Bachmann is re-elected president of the NZGBA

2012

  • Visit of Delegation of the German Parliamentary Friendship Group for Relations with Australia and New Zealand, led by Jürgen Herrmann
  • Organisation of a "Made in Germany"-Pavilion at EMEX 2012
  • Festive Farewell of the German Ambassador to New Zealand to his new posting in Iceland
  • A New Zealand Business Delegation is accompanied to Germany, and also meeting with Hon Bill English
  • The NZGBA is highly involved in representing New Zealand as Guest of Honour at the Bookfair
  • 28th Annual General Meeting, Mr Erich Bachmann is re-elected president of the NZGBA

2011

  • Monique Surges and the president of the NZGBA attend the 150th anniversary of the chambers HQ
  • Organisation of a Luncheon with EU President Barroso
  • Organisation of a "Made in Germany"-Pavilion at BuildNZ 2011
  • Visit of Dr Guido Westerwelle, Minister of Foreign Affairs visits New Zealand
  • 27th Annual General Meeting, Mr Erich Bachmann is re-elected president of the NZGBA

2010

  • Visit of Dr Gerd Mueller, Parliamentary Secretary of State for Food, Agriculture and Consumer Protection
  • Organisation of a Europe Stand at the New Zealand Trade Fair "Fine Food"
  • Organisation of the export initiative "energy efficiency" supported by the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control
  • 26th Annual General Meeting, Mr Erich Bachmann is re-elected president of the NZGBA

2009

  • Visit of Delegation of the Bundestag's Budget Committee
  • Welcome Luncheon for Thomas Meister, new German Ambassador to New Zealand
  • Organisation of the export initiative "Energy Efficiency in Buildings " supported by the German Federal Office of Economics and Export Control
  • 25th Annual General Meeting – Mr Erich Bachmann re-elected as President

2003

  • 20th Anniversary with guest speakers Helen Clarke, Prime Minister, Ambassador Riedler, Prof. Dr. Eckhard Rohkamm, Chairman of the German-Asia Pacific Business Association (OAV)

2002

  • NZGBA Trade Representative attends DIHT World Conference

2001

  • Visit of German President Johannes Rau

1998

  • Visit of Dr Schomerus, Federal Ministry of Economics

1997

  • Visit of German Chancellor Helmut Kohl
  • Visit of Dr Günther Rexroth, Federal Minister for the Economy

1996

  • Hans-Peter Stihl, President of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce, visits again
  • Visit of the German-Oceanic Parliamentary Group
  • NZGBA Trade Representatives attend DIHT World Conference in Bonn

1995

  • Coordination of programme for a delegation from the Select Committee for Finance for the German Bundestag
  • NZGBA exhibits at Hanover Fair promoting trade with New Zealand

1994

  • Federal Ministry of Economics and the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce confirm status as official representative of the NZGBA
  • Hans-Peter Stihl, President of the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce, re-visits the NZGBA

1993

  • Visit of Richard von Weizsäcker, President of the Federal Republic of Germany
  • Visit of Dr Klaus Kinkel, German Foreign Minister

1992

  • Visit of Mrs Burre, Ministry of Economics

1990

  • German Pavillion at EMEX and Agricultural Fieldays

1989

  • Visit of Peter Stihl, President of the Chamber of Commerce in Germany
  • Visit of Dr Reinger, Vice-President of the Bundestag

1987

  • Visit of German Minister of Economics, Mr Martin Bangemann
  • Host to Ted Farnon, New Zealand Ambassador to Germany

1986

  • First Catalogue Show – 120 participating German companies
  • 2 visitors from German Bundestag

1985

  • Luncheon with Dr Hans Steger, German Ambassador in New Zealand and a number of other pacific islands.

1984

  • Visit of Dr Abel, State Secretary, Ministry of Economics

1983

  • Set up of NZGBA due to the market demand (August)
  • A trade mission from Baden-Baden visits the NZGBA
  • Visit of Dr. Albert Probst, Ministry of Scientific and Technological Research

1980

  • Opening of German Trade Office in September – 78 foundation members (German Delegate – Mr Rudi Rindermann sent out by German Chambers of Commerce and Industry)