Asia After Five: From Tech to Textiles - Exploring Business Innovations Across Asia

Asia is a region of vast opportunity, where speed, scale, and diversity converge to shape some of the world’s most exciting business landscapes. From cutting-edge technology to centuries-old industries, the region offers boundless potential.

Join us at this Asia After Five event, where you’ll hear firsthand from four individuals who recently participated in Asia New Zealand Foundation-led delegations to South Korea, China, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Our panelists will share their experiences, insights, and what they’ve learned about the exciting business opportunities emerging across Asia.

Our Asia After Five events are designed to be interactive. You will have a chance to ask questions, make connections, and deepen your understanding of Asia’s business landscape.

This is a free event open to all, so feel free to bring a friend! Please RSVP for catering purposes.

Event details: 
Date/time: Wednesday, 26 February 2025 from 5:30pm to 7:00pm.
Venue: The Hub, 45 Queen Street, Auckland 

Meet our Panelists

1. Manawa Udy
Manawa is the Founder and Kaihautū of Ngāhere Communities, a creative and social entrepreneur behind the Ngāhere Communities network based in Manukau. This network includes the retail marketplace, KoneiNZ. Manawa visited China—Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and Shanghai— as part of the Foundation's Māori creative technology delegation.

2. Matt Kennedy-Good  
Matt is the Founder President of Neocrete, a company that develops resilient, regenerative, and carbon-zero concrete – with no cement.  His company’s mission is to reduce worldwide carbon emissions by 1%. In 2023 Neocrete was chosen by the Global Cement and Concrete Association as one of the most promising technologies to decarbonise concrete, in the Innovandi Challenge. Matt was part of the Foundation's sustainable clean technology delegation to South Korea.

3. Sophie Cooper 
Sophie is the Founder and Smile Director of Anihana - a sustainable bath and hair product brand that’s taken the world by storm.  Achieving an impressive 384% growth over the last three years , Anihana now has a presence in over 8,000 stores across New Zealand, Australia, and the USA in retail giants such as Target and Walmart. Anihana is deeply rooted in the values of te ao Māori, reflecting a profound connection to family, land and sustainability. Sophie was part of the Foundation's YBLI health and beauty delegation to Indonesia.

4. Trish Peng
Trish is a luxury wedding dress designer based in New Zealand. Founded in 2014 by Creative Director Trish Peng, the brand is renowned for creating elegant and feminine wedding dresses, handcrafted by a team of expert couturiers in Auckland. With growing global demand, the brand now supplies stockists in New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, the European Union, and the UAE. She was part of the Foundation's YBLI fashion delegation to the Philippines.


Don’t miss this opportunity to gain valuable insights and broaden your understanding of the exciting opportunities Asia offers – we look forward to seeing you there!