City & Country Representation  |  New Zealand

Your city has a story.
Most markets never hear it.

Frontline Partners works on the ground in New Zealand as a dedicated market partner for international cities, councils, economic development agencies, and national trade promotion bodies. We build the awareness, relationships, and pipeline of leads that remote teams can't replicate.

The first dedicated in-market city representative among Australia's 537 councils. Currently representing the City of Moreton Bay, Queensland — Australia's third-largest Local Government Area and a 2032 Olympic Games host city.

The Market
Why New Zealand?
USD 248B
GDP
#1
Ease of doing business (World Bank)
4th
Wealth per adult globally
185,000
USD millionaires (UNCTAD)
~600K
Active businesses (Stats NZ / MBIE)
+186%
Startup investment growth (TechNZ 2024)

Behind these numbers is an internationalised economy. Exports make up close to half of GDP, and those 600,000 active businesses operate in a market where going offshore is standard practice, not a stretch. New Zealanders are mobile, commercially adventurous, and accustomed to doing business across borders. For cities seeking investment, business expansion, talent, and trade, New Zealand is an underserved market of internationally connected decision-makers with capital to deploy, and no dedicated city presence to speak to them.

Services
What We Do

Put your city or country in the room.

01
City & Country Representation
  • Your dedicated NZ market representative, working the market year-round
  • Build awareness of your city across NZ industries and sectors
  • Media presence, pipeline reports, and market intelligence
  • Direct access to NZTE, MFAT, and chambers of commerce across New Zealand
02
In-Market Activation
  • Activate bilateral trade and investment corridors
  • Inbound and outbound trade delegations
  • Integration with NZ events or bespoke activations
  • Work toward MOUs and city-to-city announcements
Step 01
Onboard
We learn your city, your sectors, and your targets. The brief shapes everything that follows.
Step 02
Activate
We go to work in the NZ market on your behalf. Meetings, introductions, media, events.
Step 03
Report
Regular pipeline updates, market intelligence, and a measurable record of what's been built.
In Practice
TVNZ Business Breakfast
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TVNZ Business Breakfast
TVNZ Business Breakfast feature on the City of Moreton Bay investment opportunity. Put the city's story in front of a national NZ audience.
NZTE Selling to Government in Australia Webinar
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NZTE Partnership
Presented at NZTE's national webinar series (Selling to Government in Australia). Brought NZ businesses into direct contact with the City of Moreton Bay.
NZTE Trade Delegation — City of Moreton Bay
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NZTE Trade Delegation
Coordinated an NZTE trade delegation into the City of Moreton Bay: council pitches, site visits, and on-the-ground networking events.
National Business Review — Moreton Bay
NBR Article  ·  Subscription required↗
NBR Feature Article
National Business Review coverage of the City of Moreton Bay's NZ investment strategy, reaching New Zealand's senior business audience.
Karim Sabet — NZ Market Access Interview
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NZ Market Access Interview
On the ground and on the record. Karim Sabet on what in-market city representation delivers — and why New Zealand is an underserved opportunity.
Dolphins vs Warriors — Wellington City Showcase
View on LinkedIn↗
Wellington City Showcase
Representing the City of Moreton Bay at the NRL Dolphins vs Warriors match in Wellington. Sustained city presence at New Zealand's highest-profile events.
The Team
Karim Sabet, Director — Frontline Partners

Founded by Karim Sabet, who has spent a major part of his career on both sides of the trade equation. He has helped organisations enter new markets across Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, and co-founded an award-winning startup in New Zealand.

Before founding Frontline Partners, he chaired New Zealand's first Africa-focused business chamber, with direct access to governments, embassies, and economic development agencies across the continent.

Frontline Partners is the first dedicated in-market city representation appointment among Australia's 537 councils, currently serving as Senior Trade and Investment Adviser, New Zealand, to the City of Moreton Bay — Australia's third-largest Local Government Area and a 2032 Olympic Games host city.

That combination, real operator experience and deep institutional access, is available to every client from day one.

Get in Touch
Book an NZ Market Briefing

A focused call to walk through what the NZ market opportunity looks like for your city or agency specifically. What sectors are active, who the right contacts are, and what a representation engagement would look like in practice.

Send an Email