Minister Grealish begins engagements in New Zealand as part of Government’s 2026 St Patrick’s Day programme
- Published on: 12 March 2026
- Last updated on: 12 March 2026
Minister of State at the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine with responsibility for Food Promotion, New Markets, Research and Development, Noel Grealish TD, has met with the Irish Business Network of New Zealand as part of his St Patrick’s Day Programme. This year marks 60 years of diplomatic relations between Ireland and New Zealand.
Minister Grealish took the opportunity to highlight the opportunities that exist for Irish businesses to enter and expand in the New Zealand market. In particular, he pointed to Irish agri-tech companies that are successfully operating in New Zealand.
The Minister remarked:
"A key part of the St Patrick’s Day programme for the Government is to promote trade and investment and I am delighted to have the opportunity to help Irish businesses seeking to do business here in New Zealand and support the work of Enterprise Ireland.”
In line with the ambition of the St Patrick’s day programme to also highlight research partnerships, the Minister visited the New Zealand Bioeconomy Science Institute and the Ag Emissions Centre, among others. The Minister noted:
"As Minister with special responsibility for research and development, I was pleased to visit a number of agricultural and bioeconomy research centres here in New Zealand. My Department has run a joint research programme with the New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries since 2022 and I took the opportunity to visit some of the 11 collaborative projects taking place in the area of agriculture and climate.”
During his visit, the Minister will have a series of Irish community engagements. He will also meet with the Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Gerry Brownlee M.P., and the Minister for Agriculture, Forestry, Trade and Investment, Hon. Todd McClay M.P.
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