'Tena koutou katoa': Gov. Cox calls for increased trade between Utah and New Zealand

AUCKLAND, New Zealand — It's a bit unusual for Utah Gov. Spencer Cox to apologize before even greeting his audience.

But it's also a bit unusual for Cox to greet his audience in Maori.

"I probably will offend many of you," he said at the beginning of remarks Monday at the University of Auckland. "So I hope you'll forgive me."

"Tena koutou katoa," said Cox, delighting his audience. Translation: "Greetings to you all."

The governor's visit to the island nation's largest university helped kick off an ongoing trade mission to New Zealand and Australia organized by World Trade Center Utah that's populated by a sizable delegation that includes lawmakers, industry leaders and educators.

For most in the 2025 trade mission's delegation, it's their first official visit to Oceania. A similar visit was planned in 2020 for Cox's predecessor — former Gov. Gary Herbert — before being nixed by the pandemic.

It's natural for Utah and New Zealand to be trade partners, said Cox. The two regions share natural beauty that draws people from across the globe.

"We are not an island — and yet we are, in some senses," he said.

"The people who settled Utah many, many years ago — our ancestors who came and settled in that land — (settled) a place that no one else wanted because it was very hard, it was very remote and it was very rugged."

To survive, Cox added, Utah's settlers had to learn to work together and innovate — and then innovate some more.

"Innovation has always been who we are — and it's why we've been so successful as a state. It's why we have had the No. 1 economy in the United States over the past 10 years."

Cooperating and innovating also defines New Zealand's history, said Cox.

"That's why we're here — because you too have those two lessons as part of your culture. And the opportunities to expand the ways we're working together are boundless."

The governor was joined Monday at the University of Auckland by the leader of the Beehive State's flagship university, University of Utah President Taylor Randall.

With a smile, Randall apologized for not also greeting his New Zealand audience in Maori — before adding he "was thrilled" to be representing the state's higher education system.

"It is a truly remarkable one that performs incredible research."

Randall touted the ASPIRE collaboration between the Auckland university and Utah State University, "which has unbelievable power to transform the world and transportation."

Meanwhile, he said, the University of Utah focuses primarily on the biotech and energy area. Many of the school's innovations are now being commercialized by "well-funded companies."

"We've seen in some of our (Auckland) visits already this morning the notion of protecting critical minerals processing for national interests," he said. "I'm sure all of you are also deeply engaged in many of those things."

University of Auckland Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) Frank Bloomfield welcomed Monday's visiting delegation that included Cox, Randall, Utah Senate President Stuart Adams and several state lawmakers and Utah industry leaders.

Related:

Australia and New Zealand trade mission: Elevating Utah's global business reach 'Down Under'

The geographical distance separating Utah from Auckland, New Zealand, is more than 7,000 miles — and the gap between the Beehive State and Sydney, Australia, is even wider.

"We're here today," said Bloomfield, "because of our shared interest in aerospace technology, transport electrification, advanced technologies such as quantum and photonics, and of course, our country's collaboration and defense."

Greg Murison, CEO at Auckland Uniservices, spoke of the New Zealand school's history of innovation, research and entrepreneurship.

Engaging with delegations such as World Trade Center Utah, he added, is critical for the Auckland institution's success.

"We don't operate in isolation, and so creating these connections is very important to us, both at the government level, but also at industry level," he said.

Additionally, the opportunities for startup companies in the University of Auckland's portfolio, "may be able to help you and the aspirations that you have in Utah as well."

Mining potential New Zealand business partners

Monday marked the first full day for World Trade Center Utah delegates to branch out across Auckland and connect with businesses and organizations that could soon prove to be global partners.

Delegates are participating in one of three "tracks": Aerospace & Defense; Critical Minerals, and Development and Innovation.

The delegates opting for the Aerospace & Defense track, for example, spent Monday meeting and touring the facilities of several industry organizations such as the University of Auckland's Space Institute — along with visits to a metal additive manufacturing company making headway into the space community and a satellite communications services provider.

On Tuesday, the World Trade Center Utah delegation will fly to Sydney, Australia, for several days of meetings across those same three industry tracks, highlighted by Cox's participation in the International Mining & Resources Conference, Australia's most influential mining event.

The timing appears fortuitous; President Donald Trump was scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia on Monday in Washington, D.C. and the topic is rare earth minerals and expanding the relationship between Australia and the U.S. in that important sector.

Development and Innovation delegates will also spend time at the Sydney Quantum Academy. Australia is a global leader in the quantum ecosystem.

Meeting with New Zealand's prime minister

Cox began his "Down Under" tour with a Saturday meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon.

The governor was joined at the meeting by First Lady Abby Cox and Senate President Adams.

The Utah press was not permitted to attend the gathering, but the governor's office reported that the meeting was "very productive discussing key issues and priorities important to both New Zealand and Utah."

On his X account, Cox thanked Luxon for a "productive meeting."

"With nearly 30 Utah businesses and organizations, our state trade mission to New Zealand and Australia is focused on opening markets and building partnerships in aerospace and defense, critical minerals , fintech, and other shared strengths"

Cox added that the Beehive State and New Zealand are joining together "as pioneers" in energy generation and diversification.

Read the full article at Deseret.com.

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