SBANZ New Members Night 2024

The Singapore Business Association New Zealand event on September 20th, 2024, was an incredible success, and we are thankful for all the tremendous support from our community. The evening was a vibrant showcase of meaningful connections, insightful discussions, and the opportunity to share ideas with like-minded professionals.

We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our generous sponsors: RE/MAX Vanguard (Rohith Muniah and Roana Muniah) Sweet Treats, and Fay. Your contributions were key in helping us bring this event to life, and we are deeply grateful for your support.

A special thank you to our distinguished speakers: Suresh ArumuganathanSteven Lee, and Henry Lau. Your thought-provoking presentations provided attendees with valuable insights and sparked engaging conversations. The feedback we received highlighted the impact and value your expertise brought to the evening.

We also want to acknowledge the dedication of our hardworking crew and volunteers, whose commitment and effort behind the scenes ensured that everything ran smoothly and professionally.

And, of course, a big shout-out to the High Performer Building for providing such a fantastic venue for the event! The space was perfect, and its inviting atmosphere helped create the ideal setting for networking and collaboration.

The energy and enthusiasm throughout the evening were contagious, and we are thrilled to have been able to bring our members and guests together for such a successful event. The connections made and ideas exchanged will undoubtedly benefit everyone involved as we continue to grow and develop our SBANZ community.

Thank you once again to all the sponsors, speakers, volunteers, and attendees who made this event possible. We look forward to fostering these valuable connections and continuing to create more opportunities for our members to thrive.

Stay tuned for future events and updates from SBANZ – we can’t wait to see what’s next!

Be sure to follow us on Linkedin and Facebook too!

Celebrating the Launch of “Perspectives of Two Island Nations: Singapore – New Zealand”

We are proud to report the successful launch of “Perspectives of Two Island Nations: Singapore – New Zealand,” a significant milestone in fostering deeper understanding and collaboration between Singapore and New Zealand. This collection of essays, authored by 27 esteemed experts, covers a wide array of topics including geopolitics, trade, Māori settlements, climate change, the arts, and more, reflecting the shared values and close ties between our two island nations.

The launch event, held at the Singapore High Commission in Wellington, was a great success, thanks to the efforts of H.E. William Tan, Singapore High Commissioner, Dr. James Kember, Chair of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, and Suzannah Jessep, CEO of the Asia New Zealand Foundation. We were also honored by the presence of Rt. Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, who served as Guest of Honour.

This prestigious gathering brought together all New Zealand contributors and over 100 distinguished guests from government, academia, NGOs, and the diplomatic community, celebrating not only the achievements of the book but also the longstanding relationship between our two nations. The book offers unique insights into the mutual challenges and opportunities facing Singapore and New Zealand, as well as the importance of future collaboration.

For those interested in delving deeper into this important work, you can purchase the book using the discount code SGNZ25 for 25% off:

For Singapore: Click here to order.

For New Zealand: Click here to order.

SBANZ is thrilled to see this project come to fruition and extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making this launch a success!

Welcome RE/MAX Vanguard to the SBANZ Community

RE/MAX Vanguard is a franchise of the RE/MAX network of real estate agents that extends across over 115 countries with over 140,000 members and is yet to be surpassed by any other real estate group. That’s why nobody sells more real estate than RE/MAX. RE/MAX Vanguard takes pride in being at the forefront of real estate marketing. RE/MAX Vanguard prides itself on its evolution in an ever-changing industry.

The franchisees Rohith and Roana Muniah are a husband-wife team trading under RE/MAX Vanguard (remaxvanguard.co.nz) and run a what they call a “four seasons real estate office” which concentrates on:

– Residential Property Sales and Leasing

– Commercial Property Sales and Leasing

– Business Sales

– Residential and Commercial Property Management

With the recent sale of 39 lease-hold apartments in Auckland with 90% of the Vendors (Sellers) from Singapore they drove the sign-off of the platinum membership with the Singapore Business Association New Zealand (SBANZ).

RE/MAX Vanguard is a tight-knit team of real estate professionals. Their superior results are bookended by a dedication to achieving the ultimate results through diligent customer service and fierce negotiation skills.

Contact:

Rohith Muniah- +64 27 2792244

Roana Muniah- +64 27 2377988

Suresh Arumuganathan- +64 22 081 4407

The RE/MAX network 

Meet Our Esteemed Guest Speakers for the 20th September 2024 Networking Event!

We are thrilled to introduce three outstanding professionals who will be sharing their expert insights on the property market and investment opportunities in New Zealand. This is an event you won’t want to miss!

1.⁠ ⁠Suresh Arumuganathan
A representative from RE/MAX Vanguard and a founding member of SBANZ, Suresh will delve into property investment strategies and provide an in-depth analysis of national property market trends in New Zealand. Whether you’re an experienced investor or just getting started, Suresh’s insights will help you stay ahead in the dynamic property landscape.

2.⁠ ⁠Steven Lee
A Partner at Martelli McKegg Lawyers, Steven Lee will present the latest property laws and regulations shaping the market. He’ll also share new legal insights that are set to attract more investors to New Zealand’s property sector. If you’re keen to understand the legal side of property investment, this session is a must!

3.⁠ ⁠Henry Lau
Partner at Nexus Chartered Accountants, Henry Lau will discuss the latest tax rate thresholds, along with critical updates on tax charges and expenses. Additionally, he will cover rental and Airbnb regulations, offering invaluable advice for property investors looking to navigate the tax landscape efficiently.

Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from industry experts and elevate your property investment strategies.

Save the date – 20th September 2024 – and get ready for an evening of knowledge and networking!

👉 Register now!

Event Planning with RE/MAX Vanguard

SBANZ held a key planning meeting in preparation for our upcoming event on September 20th with our platinum member, RE/MAX Vanguard. The meeting was a success, with productive discussions that set the stage for what promises to be an insightful event.

With the groundwork laid, we are confident that the Networking Event on September 20th will be a success. We look forward to bringing our members and partners together for an impactful experience.

#RE/MAXVanguard #EventPlanning #BusinessNetworking

MoU Signing with Auckland Business Chamber

On August 19th, 2024, the Singapore Business Association New Zealand SBANZ reached a historic milestone by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Auckland Business Chamber.

This strategic partnership is set to strengthen economic ties and foster mutual benefits among the business communities in New Zealand and Singapore, emphasizing trade, investment, and networking. The MoU also establishes a strong framework for sustainable economic growth within New Zealand and with its ASEAN counterparts, setting the stage for vibrant future collaborations.

SBANZ President Eng Wan Tan represented the association at this significant event, joined by Simon Bridges, CEO of the Auckland Business Chamber. The occasion was graced by the High Commissioner of Singapore, H.E. Mr. William Tan. Two SBANZ founding members Suresh Arumuganathan and Jonathan Lim were also in attendance. This MoU marks the beginning of a promising era of economic cooperation and shared growth.

Singapore National Day Celebration in Auckland

On 18 August 2024, the Fickling Convention Centre was filled with excitement as over 160 attendees gathered to celebrate Singapore National Day. Organized by Singapore Club Auckland and supported by SBANZ, the event highlighted the strong comradeship and harmony between our members and our Kiwi friends. Guests enjoyed a delightful spread of delicious food, including satay, kuehs, noodles, birthday cake, and more, making it a truly memorable celebration.

#SingaporeNationalDay #Singapore #NewZealand #BilateralTrade

Lodestone Energy acquires key sites from Kiwi Solar in Manawatu region

Lodestone Energy has announced its acquisition of two grid-scale solar sites in the Manawatu region from Kiwi Solar. The company was founded by Andrew Beckett, a proud member of the Singapore Business Association NZ (SBANZ). This acquisition marks a significant step in expanding New Zealand’s renewable energy capacity.

The two Manawatu sites can each generate approximately 27MWp, contributing an additional 84GWh of renewable electricity annually. This amount is enough to power up to 11,700 homes. Both sites have secured land options and are well-advanced in connecting with Powerco.

Gary Holden, Managing Director of Lodestone, emphasized the strategic alignment with their existing site. He expressed enthusiasm about linking this trio of generators to customers eager to take advantage of the long-term benefits of solar energy.

You can read more about the acquisition at https://lodestoneenergy.co.nz/kiwi-solar-acquisition/

#SolarEnergy #SolarPower #RenewableEnergy

Singapore Garden Festival 2024 – Fantasy Gardens (Gold Award)

NZ based landscaping designer Jules Moore, one of our trusted partners, has been awarded the Gold Award for this year’s Singapore Garden Festival Best of Show Designer Gardens Competition – Fantasy Category.

Jules’s Exhibition, Portals to Paradise, won her the Gold Award and is a testament to her extraordinary experience and career in landscaping design.

Congratulations Jules! We are so proud of the amazing work you’ve done. It is definitely an exciting time for our NZ-based partners to be recognised for their amazing work in Singapore.

Event Details:
  • Event: Singapore Garden Festival 2024
  • Venue: Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre (Level 4 and 6)
  • Dates: 3-11 August 2024
Awards:
  • Best of Show Designer Gardens Competition – Fantasy Category
    • Gold Award: Jules Moore, Portals to Paradise

Photo credit: Jules Moores & Singapore Garden Festival

Video credit: Singapore Garden Festival IG