Walking the streets of Warsaw, the energy is hard to ignore. Construction cranes pivot above trams, cafes brim with professionals, and the local Chamber of Commerce talks more like a startup incubator. This isn’t the Europe you remember.
Meanwhile, back home, New Zealand’s economy expanded by just 0.7% in the final quarter of 2024, after a 1.1% contraction in the previous quarter. The unemployment rate climbed to 5.1%, the highest since 2020. In Poland? GDP grew by 2.9%, with unemployment sitting at just 2.9% (Statistics Poland, Country Economy).
So, what does this mean for New Zealand businesses looking outward?
Earlier this year, I joined a business delegation through Romania, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Poland. Each country is carving out its own economic niche. And each presents concrete opportunities for New Zealand firms ready to think beyond their usual routes.
Where Can NZ SMEs Fit into Central Europe’s Supply Chains?
Central Europe is now a hub for advanced manufacturing. In Poland, automotive parts and industrial components are shipped daily to major EU markets. It’s not just the scale. It’s the smart infrastructure and the pace of innovation.
New Zealand manufacturers often default to China or Australia. But why not work with a region that combines EU standards, competitive costs and strategic location?
Is Wine the Next Big Export Opportunity or a Red Herring?
It’s more than wine, though that’s part of it. Winemakers in Hungary and Romania are exploring New Zealand as a premium market, while timber exporters from Romania are investigating demand for sustainably sourced, untreated materials to replace chemically treated pine.
You’ll also find hand-crafted goods, precision components and consumer products ready for distribution in New Zealand, as long as price and logistics align.
What Do Polish Innovation Funds Mean for NZ Startups?
Poland acts as a gateway to Horizon Europe, one of the largest innovation funding pools in the world. Through partnerships, Kiwi firms in healthtech, digital or cleantech could join EU-backed projects and scale faster with shared risk and shared expertise.
The Polish government is actively encouraging these connections. And the local appetite for collaboration is high.
New Zealand as a Launchpad
For Central European firms, New Zealand represents a stable, trusted entry point to the wider Australasian market. Our ease of doing business, transparent legal systems and established trade networks are exactly what many Czech or Hungarian firms are looking for.
If you’re ready to make that connection, now is the time
At Moore Markhams, we help New Zealand businesses build meaningful cross-border relationships, grounded in local knowledge and a global outlook. If you’re exploring what’s next, we’re here to help.
Sam Bassett is Chairman of Moore Markhams New Zealand and recently participated in the 2025 EU Business Delegation to Central Europe.
Contact Us
"*" indicates required fields
