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LIFE&FAMILY
100
July14
Trade Talk
At 4.5 million, the size of New
Zealand’s population is similar to
that of Singapore and, despite the
geographical distance, Singapore
features in many of NZ’s Top 10 lists:
•
Fourth-largest source of foreign
investment
•
Sixth-largest bilateral trading
partner
•
Ninth-largest sourceof visitors toNZ
New Zealand food exports to
Singapore meet the need for high
quality and a safe and secure
supply. As well as dairy products,
produce includes fish, beef, lamb,
honey, fruit and vegetables – and
let’s not forget the wine. NZ oil is
shipped and refined here. Numerous
high-tech products are available
mention that it’s closer to New Zealand,
and Singapore is an important partner
of ours,” she says.
After completing school in Wellington,
Bernadette, who hails from Te Kuiti, a
small town on the North Island, did a
public policy degree at university, also
in the capital. Initially she found a job at
the Ministry of Defence, but was soon
seconded to the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and Trade. “It opened up a
whole new world and I didn’t look back,
working across a range of roles. My first
posting and first time living overseas
was in Moscow, which was incredible.
We then went back to Wellington for a
term and then to New York. It’s been an
amazing opportunity and a huge honour
to represent my country in three such
diverse locations.”
New Zealand has maintained a
resident High Commissioner in
Singapore since independence in 1965,
and Bernadette follows in the footsteps
of the first female High Commissioner
to Singapore, who was here from 1982
to 1985.
“The High Commission is here to
advocate for New Zealand’s interest
across a range of areas, but a key
focus is trade and economic,” says
Bernadette. “We support NZ exporters
or Singaporean exporters to NZ; build
defence, tourism, business, political and
cultural links; offer consular support.
We also support incoming visitors
and delegations, and link them with
appropriate Singaporean counterparts.
Our population size is quite similar –
roughly five million – so there are many
things we can learn from each other.”
After the devastating Christchurch
earthquake more than three years
ago, Singapore contributed substantial
fundraising efforts. A Singaporean army
group that was in NZ at the time doing
military exercises, immediately came
and helped with the initial response.
“The media attention moved on, but
for a year after the first quake, which
caused dramatic damage, the ground
did not stop moving. It was tough for
people in Christchurch, the waiting. Now
the land is stable, enormous work has
gone into planning and demolition, and
a lot of reconstruction will start this year.
Did You Know?
The re a re 12 fema l e H i gh
Commissioners or Ambassadors in
Singapore, a small percentage of the
total number, but covering a range
of countries big and small including
Israel, Sri Lanka, Germany, Laos,
Mongolia, Denmark, Nigeria, Canada,
Egypt, India and South Africa.
here, and star of the recent Yacht
Show was the NZ-made super-
yacht,
Vertigo
. And after nearly a
decade’s absence, Air New Zealand
is seeking approval to fly between
NZ and Changi again from the end
of this year.
It’s taking time, but the city is recovering
and there are exciting years ahead for
Christchurch.”
As with most expats, Bernadette
believes the benefits of a foreign posting
definitely outweigh the negatives of
living far from home and family. “Living in
someone else’s country is special, and
experiencing their culture gives you a
useful view of your own country – both
positive and negative. Certainly it gives
you a greater appreciation and puts
things into perspective.
“I’m now acutely aware how
geographically isolated New Zealand
is. From Singapore, it’s a two-hour flight
to numerous countries; yet after two
hours of flying from NZ we’ve not even
made it to Australia or one of our Pacific
neighbours yet! So, as a New Zealander,
you have to work hard just to get out into
the world, as often the rest of the world
doesn’t see any reason to come to you,
which can be a real challenge.
“For me, it’s important to go back
regularly to New Zealand to touch base.
Countries change, and when you’ve
been out of them for a few years you
need to take a fresh look at the interests
you’re representing.”