Huawei CEO Ren Zhengfei meets New Zealand Prime Minister to promote R&D collaboration, digital transformation

Huawei plans to build Cloud Data Centre and establish Innovation Labs in Christchurch and Wellington

[Wellington, New Zealand, 21 March 2017] During a meeting with New Zealand Prime Minister, Rt Hon. Bill English, Huawei Founder and CEO, Ren Zhengfei, discussed ICT infrastructure build-out and digital transformation, and outlined the company's investment plan for New Zealand – including local procurement, R&D, and cloud computing infrastructure initiatives.

"New Zealand's open and fair trade environment, and its emphasis on developing new technology, facilitates our ongoing commitment," Mr. Ren said. “New Zealand has rich tourism resources, and highly developed agricultural and trade sectors. Digital transformation empowered by advanced ICT technology can enable New Zealand to become better connected with the world, and transform its traditional strengths into driving forces of economic growth.”

As part of its investment programme, Huawei will work with local partners to build a New Zealand Cloud Data Centre, and will open an Innovation Lab at Victoria University of Wellington in 2017. The Lab will focus on the use of big data, and how to maximize the potential of the Internet of Things through future technology such as 5G.

Huawei will also seek new R&D partnerships to establish an Innovation Lab in Christchurch.

Huawei's Seeds for the Future programme will expand to 100 New Zealand undergraduate students over the next five years. The programme enables students to travel to China to learn about cutting-edge technology and participate in cultural exchanges.

Huawei will also open a regional office in Wellington, purchase more goods and services locally, and help local businesses integrate into its global supply chain network.

Huawei began its operations in New Zealand in 2005. The company partners with all major operators including Spark, 2degrees and Vodafone NZ, providing much of the technology behind the New Zealand Government's Ultra-Fast Broadband initiative. Today, more than half of New Zealanders are using Huawei's products and solutions.