The non-profit expatriate investment network, Kea New Zealand, has announced a new board and strategy to try and leverage off the skills of New Zealanders who now live overseas.
The co-founder and chair of the network, Sir Stephen Tindall, will step down and be replaced by New York-based financier Phil Veal.
The other board members have been replaced and a three-pronged strategy has been implemented.
The organisation is opening up an online community, creating a network of the country's 1000 most influential people who are based around the world and building on its world-class New Zealand programme.
Kea chief executive Sue Watson says the strategy aims to try and lift the level of engagement in the network and bring more value to it.
She says ultimately it's hoped the group will "grow New Zealand" and the main focus will be on growing the country's export economy.
Ms Watson says the people are a potential talent source for New Zealand to address skills shortages, they could be independent directors on boards of globally-focused New Zealand companies, they're people who are known to be interested in investing back into New Zealand and who have powerful international connections.
Ideally, she says, the group will be brand ambassadors for New Zealand.
