Find clients and sell your products in New Zealand

Finding clients abroad is always a challenge, and business development in New Zealand is not different. You need the right contacts and once you reach the decision maker, you need the right sales pitch.

A lot of companies that want to enter the market in New Zealand do this with their general sales pitch. However, if you don’t know the local regulations, pricing levels and your competition’s product, sales meetings may be difficult to conclude successfully.

How to sell your product or service in New Zealand?

New Zealand, located in the southwestern Pacific Ocean, is known for its stunning natural landscapes, Maori culture, and outdoor lifestyle. Its population in 2023 stands at about 5 million.

With a GDP per capita around $41,000 USD in 2023, New Zealand’s economy is based on agriculture, tourism, and film production, with dairy products being a significant export. The country is also known for its wine industry.

New Zealand’s imports include cars, refined petroleum, machinery, and electronics, essential for its economic and technological development.

Major cities include Auckland, the largest and most diverse city; Wellington, the capital known for its arts scene; Christchurch, a city rebuilding with innovation after earthquakes; and Queenstown, famous for adventure tourism

Who actually decides?

Business development abroad fails more often on the wrong contact than on the wrong product. Decide first whether you sell to end users, to a procurement department or through a partner: each asks for a different pitch and a different price level.

Expect to adapt three things per market. The language of your materials, your proof — local references count for more than global ones — and your price positioning against the local alternatives.

Do you need help in New Zealand?

Our service providers are local specialists. They know the market, the regulations and the parties that matter, and they can support you with the steps on this page.

Ask a professional

Finding your first clients in New Zealand in three steps

Step 1

Define the target group

Describe the companies or consumers you want to reach, the budget they have and the problem you solve for them. Skip this and every later step costs more time.

Step 2

Build a list and approach

Collect 50 to 100 relevant companies, find the person who decides, and reach out in the local language by email, LinkedIn or telephone.

Step 3

Follow up and localise

Track what you hear back and sharpen the pitch on it. Add local proof: translated pages, references from the region and a local number or partner.

Find clients and sell your products in New Zealand