New Zealand business delegation heading to Taiwan, 18 August 2026
A New Zealand Trade and Investment Mission will travel to Taiwan from 10 - 14 September for a programme of high-level meetings, exhibitions and market visits.
Wellington, New Zealand, 18 August 2026 (8:00AM NZST) – A New Zealand Trade and Investment Mission will travel to Taiwan from 10 - 14 September for a programme of high-level meetings, exhibitions and market visits.
Organised by the New Zealand Taiwan Business Council, the delegation will engage with Taiwanese business and government leaders across a range of topics, including artificial intelligence (AI), smart healthcare, clean technologies, sustainable energy, digital innovation and food and beverage.
The Taiwan economy is currently experiencing its highest rate of growth in 50 years on the back of the global AI infrastructure build. GDP growth in 2025 was an impressive 8.8%, outperforming every other economy in Asia, and is forecast to exceed 11% in 2026.
NZTBC chair, Chris Tse, says that this impressive growth presents opportunities for New Zealand businesses whether they are looking to expand their market presence in North Asia, establish a beach head in the region, or source investment capital.
He says while New Zealand is already Taiwan’s second-largest source of food imports, and the leading source of dairy and fruit imports, there is a significant opportunity for Kiwi food and beverage exporters to expand into this lucrative market.
“Taiwan has been rocked by a couple of food safety scares already this year and New Zealand is seen as a reliable and safe source of high quality food. The trade component of our delegation will have an opportunity to exhibit their products directly to Taiwanese buyers at our New Zealand Showcase Forum,” Tse said.
Sustainable energy is a high priority area for Taiwan’s government, with growing demand from the technology and AI sectors coupled with supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz causing energy security concerns. Taiwan imports 97% of its energy demand and only 13% of its electricity generation comes from renewable sources, mainly offshore wind and solar.
“New Zealand expertise in renewable energy technologies, particularly geothermal energy, is in high demand and will feature prominently on our meeting agenda with the Taiwanese,” Tse says.
The New Zealand delegation will also be keen to learn from Taiwan in areas such as AI and smart healthcare.
While Taiwan is the world’s leading producer of AI infrastructure such as advanced semiconductors and data servers, Tse says they are keen to develop capability in AI applications and software to capture more of the AI value chain. “They are looking to achieve this alongside trusted partners, which presents an opportunity for New Zealand technology companies,” he said.
Healthcare is one sector in which Taiwan is deploying AI solutions at great pace.
In 2025 Taiwan became a super-aged society according to WHO criteria, with over 20% of its population being 65 years and older – a path which New Zealand is trending towards. Tse sees value for New Zealand in looking at some of the solutions Taiwan is employing to cope with the increased demand on health services which comes with an ageing population, such as hospital-at-home care, medical devices, AI integration and robotics.
“The 2026 Trade and Investment Mission to Taiwan presents an exciting opportunity for New Zealand exporters, entrepreneurs, investors and business people to experience this dynamic market firsthand,” according to Tse.
“In the past, Taiwan has been labelled an economic miracle and its current stellar economic growth rate is reminiscent of the period when it was named one of the four Asian tiger economies. There’s no better time to visit Taiwan and witness this transformational growth,” he said.
Registrations for the 2026 Trade and Investment Mission to Taiwan are open now. For more information or to register, go to: https://www.nztaiwanbc.org.nz/mission-2026
ENDS
For media enquiries contact:
Chris Tse, Chair, NZ Taiwan Business Council
E: chris.tse@apexfresh.com
M: 027-2712004
www.nztaiwanbc.org.nz
ABOUT THE NEW ZEALAND TAIWAN BUSINESS COUNCIL
The New Zealand Taiwan Business Council is a membership-based, not-for-profit organisation fostering trade, investment, and business connections between New Zealand and Taiwan. The Council supports business networks, promotes opportunities, and coordinates key partnerships across both regions. One of its key activities is an annual joint business councils meeting with their Taiwanese counterpart organisation.