As part of the Philippine Embassy’s economic diplomacy program to pursue opportunities and pathways to increased engagement with Filipinos and New Zealanders alike, the Philippine Consulate General in Auckland joined the 2014 ANZ Bank Asian Migrant Expo on 11 October 2014 at the Skycity Auckland Convention Centre, Auckland City. During this event, more than 80 exhibitors, including government departments, consulates, ethnic community groups, law firms, media and business owners were available under one roof to provide services and host seminars and workshops.

The Philippine Consulate General Team was led by Philippine Honorary Consul General Paulo Garcia, together with New Zealand licensed barrister Mr. Gene Bagsic and Auckland Museum’s Project Manager Mr. Bon Virata. The Philippine booth showcased business and tourism in the Philippines, handing out “Doing Business in the Philippines” brochures, Updates on Economic Report on the Philippines, Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) pamphlets, Fun Maps of the Philippines, and Department of Tourism booklets featuring tourist destinations in the Philippines. The Consulate Team also provided the visitors and guests information on trade and investment in the Philippines by responding to their inquiries, including an overview of the presence of New Zealand businesses in the country. A huge number of queries were related to tourism, like matters concerning travel and flights information to and within the Philippines. Several people mentioned Philippine destinations such as Cebu, Boracay and Davao, and wanted more information about the islands. Many people said that they have Filipino friends. The Consulate Team was also delighted to receive several heart-warming remarks and positive feedbacks from the visitors and guests about the Filipinos in New Zealand. The ANZ Bank Asian Migrant Expo 2014 attracted a large number of people from all over Asia as the majority of the exhibitors were Asian in origin. However, a majority of people who asked about tourism were New Zealanders, while those who queried about business in the Philippines were Asians.

The Philippine Embassy in Wellington and the Philippine Consulate General in Auckland continue to extensively and jointly network in relentlessly promoting trade, investment, tourism and people-connectivity between the Philippines and New Zealand by stepping up various representations and linkages with the several sectors present in Auckland, New Zealand’s largest city where most of businesses, trade, finance and biggest Filipino population are located.