New Zealand visa open TO PACIfiC ECONOMIES
Pacific island economies can now apply for visas to New Zealand. “You can get on the plane, you don’t have to wait until July 31,” New Zealand High Commission to Fiji, Charlotte Darlow, said yesterday.
“The July 31 demand is a bigger group, but for the Pacific settings, you can apply for a visa now.”
She was speaking at the Fiji New Zealand Business Council joint conference with its New Zealand counterparts.
The conference was held at Sofitel Fiji Resort and Spa, Denarau.
Ms Darlow described the Fiji approach as being 15 minutes ahead of time, prepared, really determined and energised to do business.
Such reality has transcended her every interaction and experience in Fiji, Ms Darlow said.
“It’s not always the perception outside of the country,” she said.
She urged business leaders to reach to tell their story.
“Today, we sow the seeds of what comes next,” Ms Darlow said.
“Prioritize your people to people connections; Zoom has been a fantastic tool.
“Prioritize your business, prioritize your connections.
“But there is no substitute for face to face connection.”
Ms Darlow urged business leaders to turn up, be helpful, and listen.
“Turn up, spend the time to connect with your colleagues, and get to know people.
“Feel the energy, feel the emotion.
“Emotion is a great thing in this country; it leads to energy, to forward progress.
“Embrace it.”
Ms Darlow said business would not be usual again.
“But it will be business as usual.”
“I am beyond proud that the first country to have a business mission coming down into Fiji after COVID-19 was my country, New Zealand.
“Everybody in this room should be under no illusions that at the very highest levels in this country, and in my own country, there was massive support for work that you were doing this week.”
Ms Darlow urged business leaders to challenge their individual perceptions and connections.
“I always say to my team, 98 per cent of your job happens outside of this room,” she said.