New Zealand at Expo 2020

It’s time for the last post in our ‘where are they now?’ series with the wonderful Destinee Robinson. If you visited the pavilion, you were likely welcomed by Destinee or you may have seen her demonstrating the Māori performing art of poi. Destinee has since returned to Aotearoa New Zealand has a new job working to support our exporters to grow internationally!

Where are you now?

I’ve returned to the City of Sails, Tāmaki Makaurau

What are you up to?

I’ve started a role at New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. I’m currently the Executive Assistant to the General Manager of the Customer Solutions Group. Working to provide solutions to help NZ businesses grow internationally.

How is your experience working for the New Zealand Pavilion helping in your new role?

My experience at the New Zealand Pavilion allowed me to create work connections with the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise team, but more importantly my Expo role helped me to develop my understanding of the challenges New Zealand businesses have going global and the importance of agencies like that help all businesses to succeed in their journey.

What do you miss most about Expo 2020?

I miss the people. The 7 months in Dubai allowed us to create a very tight team, that became more like a whānau (family) more than anything. I also miss the amazing vibe of Expo, there is always something to do, many opportunities to meet people from all walks of life and from all over the countries. There was never a dull moment while exploring the streets of Expo. I was able to meet people that are just as passionate about their countries as I am about New Zealand. I also miss talking about New Zealand to the thousands of people that visited our Pavilion.

Thanks to everyone who visited our pavilion and became part of our Expo story.

Our kapa haka performances by UAE-based group Ngāti Koraha and Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club from the UK were a hit with Expo 2020 visitors!

A powerful and emotional combination of song, dance and chanting, Kapa Haka is a term used for Māori performing arts – an important element of Aotearoa New Zealand's national identity.

Meaning to stand in a row or 'line’(kapa) and dance (haka), Kapa Haka is also considered a way for us to create meaningful connections with other nations and people 💙

Did you see any of these kapa haka performances?

In true Expo 2020 fashion, 2022 kicked off with a bang as we got stuck into what was set to be our busiest month yet!

January was filled with an exciting schedule of events, from Taste New Zealand and live street art to a vibrant entertainment and culinary line-up for our Expo National Day celebrations on 31 January. Here's all the happenings from January and February: http://ow.ly/EWoC50IU6CY

A thrilling start to the year | January and February at the New Zealand Pavilion In true Expo 2020 fashion, 2022 kicked off with a bang as we got stuck into what was set to be our busiest month yet! January was filled with an...

Do you miss dining at Tiaki Restaurant? As one of the most popular restaurants at Expo 2020, Tiaki was a platform to showcase Aotearoa New Zealand's unique food and beverage offering. Michael Lopesi was one of the young chefs from New Zealand behind the delicious dishes. Read on to find out what exciting things are in store for this talented chef! 🇳🇿🍴

Where are you now?

I'm currently on vacation back home in Auckland, New Zealand until the end of May when I will be jetting back to Dubai to start a new position at Emirates Flight Catering as Sous Chef in their airport lounges.

What are you up to?

I'm loving the nice cool weather, spending much-needed time with family and catching up with past colleagues. I've also spent some of my time doing a couple of cameo shifts with previous employers to keep my hands busy. When not busy with work, my free time has been spent going to some of my favourite Auckland eateries including waterfront rooftops, Cantonese restaurants, and of course, multiple stops at bakeries for a meat pie or two!

How is your experience working for the New Zealand Pavilion helping in your new role?

Whilst I haven't started yet, I'm looking forward to getting back to the kitchen again and excited to work with a new team of chefs as well as many familiar faces from Expo. I hope my time at the New Zealand Pavilion has given me new skills and experiences that help me continue to progress my career in the hospitality industry, and to engage further as an ambassador of New Zealand food and produce.

What do you miss most about Expo 2020?

The many colleagues and friends I made along the way. We had an amazing work environment and rapport with all the people working to make the New Zealand at Expo experience a success.

These powerful black and white images of Ngāti Rānana London Māori Club were shot during our National Day celebrations in January by talented photographer Palani Mohan. Known as tā moko, the distinct facial tattoos are unique expression of cultural heritage and identity.

Our amazing Entertainment and Cultural Programme was a highlight of New Zealand's time at 🎉 Curated by Parris Goebel, the programme included legendary performances by SIX60 SOL3 MIO, Kimbra, Sammy Johnson and Annie Crummer as well as the incredible Wonderland show, which featured talented youth from all over Aotearoa.

Did you make it to any of the concerts?

DYK: In November, New Zealand hosted the first-ever Festival of Indigenous and Tribal Ideas at a World Expo - Te Aratini. Curated by Māori leaders in partnership with Hon. Minister Mahuta and collaborating nations, the three-day festival was just one of the exciting events that happened in our second month of . Find out what else we did here: http://ow.ly/asaq50IScjy

Visits, concerts and celebrations | November at the Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion With concerts, VIP visits and the first-ever Festival of Indigenous and Tribal Ideas at a World Expo, the month has been filled with a host of...

Say kia ora to Muru Thompson. Muru was one of our Guest Service Ambassadors during Expo 2020 Dubai, telling our story and giving every guest a warm welcome as they entered our pavilion. We are proud of share that Muru is now back in Aotearoa New Zealand working in an amazing new role! Here's what he is up to:

Where are you now?

I’ve returned back home to Tāmaki Makaurau (Auckland)

What are you up to?

I've started a new role at Deloitte as a Consulting Analyst. I will be operating in two teams; Customer Strategy and Applied Design, and also our Hourua Pae Rau team (the largest Māori professional services team in Aotearoa New Zealand)

How is your experience working for the New Zealand Pavilion helping in your new role?

At the Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion, we were exposed to many nationalities and ethnicities. Expo 2020 was a melting pot of diverse cultural and religious identities. Exposure to these diversities have allowed me to apply and consider differing world views to my new role at Deloitte.

What do you miss most about Expo 2020?

I miss the atmosphere of Expo 2020! Reflecting back on it now, I took everything for granted - the street performers, the national days, the international participants. All of which added to this amazing experience to represent Aotearoa New Zealand.

And of course, I miss the Aotearoa New Zealand whānau (family)!

Let's go back to where it all began! Our first month of Expo 2020 was a busy one, filled with special events, visits and excitement for what was to come. Did you visit us during October last year? Have a look at what we got up to: http://ow.ly/vWZG50ISaI2 🇳🇿🥳

A look at the New Zealand Pavilion’s first month at Expo 2020 Dubai As the age-old saying goes, time flies when you’re having fun.