‘New Zealand’s Foreign Policy is Trade’ New Zealand’s trade relations with the EU since 1945 with particular emphasis on economic links between the Canterbury region and Germany from 1990 to the present day

Research Question How does a case study of the economic links between the Canterbury region and Germany from 1990 to the present day give a clearer understanding of New Zealand’s trade relations with the EU? How does a case study of the economic links between the Canterbury region and Germany from 1990 to the present day give a clearer understanding of New Zealand’s trade relations with the EU?

The Purpose of the Research To recognise and demonstrate the importance of international trade with the EU for New Zealand by looking closely at the economic links between Canterbury and Germany To recognise and demonstrate the importance of international trade with the EU for New Zealand by looking closely at the economic links between Canterbury and Germany

Methodology Initial surveys sent out to Canterbury businesses Initial surveys sent out to Canterbury businesses Further interviews with business owners and/or employees Further interviews with business owners and/or employees Possibility of individual businesses being used as mini case studies for each area Possibility of individual businesses being used as mini case studies for each area At the end of the study it is hoped that sufficient data is retrieved and consolidated together in one document for Canterbury businesses to take into account At the end of the study it is hoped that sufficient data is retrieved and consolidated together in one document for Canterbury businesses to take into account

Subsidiary Questions What is the quality and quantity of trade links between Canterbury and Germany in the fields of agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and education, science and technology? What is the quality and quantity of trade links between Canterbury and Germany in the fields of agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, and education, science and technology? What are the major obstacles to developing economic links between the Canterbury region and Germany? What are the major obstacles to developing economic links between the Canterbury region and Germany? What strategies have Canterbury businesses adopted in order to build economic links with Germany? What strategies have Canterbury businesses adopted in order to build economic links with Germany? How successful have these strategies been? How successful have these strategies been? Are there any patterns in the types of strategies that have worked and those that have not? Are there any patterns in the types of strategies that have worked and those that have not?

Why does it need to be investigated? The Canterbury region is built on its agricultural and manufacturing industries and it is important for the region that Canterbury owned businesses stay afloat in a highly competitive market. The Canterbury region is built on its agricultural and manufacturing industries and it is important for the region that Canterbury owned businesses stay afloat in a highly competitive market. This study will look at whether developing economic links with Germany is one way of achieving this This study will look at whether developing economic links with Germany is one way of achieving this Tourism is a major contributor to the New Zealand economy and important to look at the European and German market Tourism is a major contributor to the New Zealand economy and important to look at the European and German market Two Universities within the Canterbury region so must include that within the thesis Two Universities within the Canterbury region so must include that within the thesis

Delimitations The case study will not be looking at the economic links between other New Zealand cities such as Auckland or Wellington The case study will not be looking at the economic links between other New Zealand cities such as Auckland or Wellington This study will not go beyond the agricultural, manufacturing, tourism, science and technology or education frameworks This study will not go beyond the agricultural, manufacturing, tourism, science and technology or education frameworks The study will not look at the effects that Canterbury businesses have on German regions The study will not look at the effects that Canterbury businesses have on German regions