Date and Time
Monday, September 22, 2025
12:30–2 p.m. MST
Location
📍World Trade Center Utah
Lobby Training Room
Registration
Tēnā koutou, nau mai, haere mai ki tēnei hui, tēnā tātou katoa.
Speaking in te reo Māori, Ambassador Rosemary Banks opened by honoring the gathering with words of welcome that set the tone: culturally grounded, globally aware, and diplomatic.
As part of her final U.S. appearance before concluding her term on Nov. 1, Banks and Consul General Katja Ackerley joined us for a luncheon with Utah business leaders — laying the groundwork for next month’s governor-led trade mission to New Zealand and Australia.
From her vantage point at “the bottom of the world,” Banks described how geography no longer guarantees protection, and why trade-dependent economies like New Zealand — and export-driven states like Utah — must rely on trust, transparency, and shared values to move forward.
Key takeaways
New Zealand is open for business. 93% of U.S. goods enter duty-free, and the average tariff rate sits near zero. “Please come our way,” she encouraged, underscoring the nation’s appetite for trade, economic, and investment.
Tariffs remain a top concern. With recent increases impacting several New Zealand industries, she acknowledged “serious headwinds” ahead but expressed hope for a path forward.
Utah is priority partner. Banks emphasized that New Zealand is actively prioritizing Utah as a strategic market for deeper trade and economic collaboration.
Beyond policy, she spoke candidly about building diplomatic trust, managing post-pandemic volatility, and and shared a few fun facts: from New Zealand’s egg-beater invention to being the first to see the sun rise.
The following morning, she joined us again for a more personal engagement at the Women’s Leadership Breakfast where she spoke about social capital and authenticity. Together, both events reflected her legacy of relationship-first leadership — one Utah and New Zealand will continue to build on.
This event is hosted in partnership with the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and the Salt Lake Chamber.
Her Excellency Rosemary Banks, Ambassador to the United States, New Zealand
Ambassador Banks has represented New Zealand on some of the world’s most influential stages, serving as the country’s permanent representative to the UN in New York, to the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development in Paris, and as ambassador to France and Portugal. She has helped shape the country’s voice in critical international conversations, from trade and security to economic cooperation and global governance.
Crossroads of the World
Join us as we bring together global influencers at our in-person roundtable discussions with top government and business leaders from around the world. Be a part of meaningful conversations and make valuable connections that will expand your perspective and knowledge of the global marketplace. These roundtables are designed for the ambitious and forward-thinking individual who wants to stay ahead of the curve in the world of international trade.
In partnership with the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity and Salt Lake Chamber.
