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"I
share the vision. What is remarkable is that the values espoused in the
speeches symbolise why Kiwis have enjoyed so much success as peace-makers
in many of the world's trouble spots. Having participated in a number of
these missions myself, I am proud to be a New Zealander, and prouder still
of our reputation, which is based on our innovation, empathy,
determination and a high regard for fairplay. Let's not be coy about our
national characteristics and strengths. Lets celebrate them and expoit
them."
Army Officer / Olive Grower Burnham, Canterbury, NZ
"Kevin, Good Man. I spent
20 years away from Godzone - in exile in Canada. I missed the sea, missed
the people, missed the No 8 fencing wire mentality. Now that I'm back I
feel like I have to live twice as fast and work twice as hard towards
keeping this country special, to make up for what I missed while I was
away. I admire your passion, but I don't share your liking for Black and
White as NZ's colours. Grace Magazine has got it right with their hymn to
green. Please think about it. What do overseas visitors exclaim over when
they arrive? - the light and the green. The green grass, green ferns, the
rich greens of the bush and the wonderful colour of the sea. And 'green'
should equal 'Green' - we aren't as Clean and Green as some like to think,
but we are trying, and we have a huge advantage over much of the rest of
the world. Have you thought of involving Hundertwasser, that wise,
world-famous architect, who has been so ignored by NZ that all he has been
asked to design for us is a public toilet. Ye Gods!! I understand
Hundertwasser submitted a design for Te Papa but it sank without trace.
I'd love to see it resurrected so we can see what we missed out on. And
his koru design for New Zealand's flag is intriguing, but has never caught
on. Perhaps it deserves another airing. Another man to use is Mike Mizrahi
whose 'This is It' tableau for the Millennium in Auckland was brilliant.
The sailing ship! Those moas! Keep fighting, Kevin. I look forward to more
from The Edge. Kind Regards."
Environmentalist,
Thorn-in-the-Side, North Shore, NZ
NZ Flag design by Hundertwasser
"Four intrepid Kiwis are about to embark upon a challenging seminar series tour of the USA in April 2000. Mainly cos it is time to share the three concepts: that the new
millennium [which all started at OUR place] is HERE NOW; that we have this unique Kiwiness to offer our American cuzzies in their quest for a truly fulfilling life, and that if people don't reach within themselves, like RIGHT NOW, and just do all the things they kept promising themselves they would do in the last
century [but didn't...] when in fact ARE they going to do them! Your site is an inspiration to our cause of another Kiwi voyage into the world to help others make it through the
night [as Margaret Meads said so eloquently in the 1930s,
event. As a Business Humanist & Maverick, and author of the book MIND YOUR OWN DAMN BUSINESS! which has been so well received, I want to focus on the powerful twins of "humanity" and "innovation", for a life of abundance, achievement and fulfilment. Thanks for leading us forward to places where most others have even feared to
look. Cheers."
Business Humanist & Maverick, Auckland, NZ
"A great site for stoking
up some fire in the belly. I believe NZ has an edge. You could say at some
stage in our recent history NZ was 100% populated by people brave,
opportunist, motivated and pioneering enough to not settle for their lot
in life, but leave their home countries to brave the challenge of an
untamed world. Be it Polynesian voyagers, or European settlers, we are
descendants of people who are prepared to take risks, who are willing to
face huge challenge, and have a bias for action. So let's get on with
it!!!"
Brand Manager, London,
UK
"Sometimes the military is
very restrictive and doesn't foster the idea of "thinking outside the
square." I feel that your way of thinking will stem from developing
your own personal flare, and the Airforce is, slowly, cottoning on to this
with new and exciting blood coming through. I note that some people say
they want to become "disciples" and "followers." How
about grasping the idea and then, using your own personal flare and
thinking outside the square, bomb burst in to the world. Become a leader
in the Edge concept and you'll take people with you, who in turn will bomb
burst. What we'll end up with is a fireworks extravaganza bigger than any
millennium display that any of us can ever imagine."
Helicopter Pilot, Suai,
East Timor
"Innovative and exciting.
Having spent a number of years overseas before returning home again, I
feel I am more a kiwi now, than ever before. My overseas experience helped
me realise what an incredibly brilliant country we have. Long my it
continue. Great concept for a web site, a real positive spin on things,
while informing us of former glories. Who knew
that it was a Kiwi that wrote "Rocky Horror Picture Show", I
didn't. Anyway, that’s for a bit of inspiration and motivation to
continue toward my goals."
Merchandiser/Student,
Auckland, NZ
"Dear Sir/Madam, Kevin
Roberts has been a personal mentor of mine for over three years now. I
have read about him widely and regularly read his speeches at
'saatchikevin.com'. I have been most inspired by Mr. Roberts’ 'New
Zealand on the Edge' speech that he presented last year. I shared this
speech with dozens of friends and family. Currently living in London, I
continue to love NZ and want to work and help to see it succeed on the
world stage. My passions are e-business, technology and marketing. These
passions I want to apply to help with NZ's future success. Thank you.
Regards."
e-business Marketing Consultant, London, UK
"I read of this website in a magazine on a trip to Sydney
recently. Having just returned to NZ from Australia I had some doubts
about the NZ psyche and could not relate to the underlying attitude of we
are only a little place. The Aussies can teach us a thing or two about
being a proud nation. Forget being too loud, we only have to shout enough
to be heard. I can summarise the difference between the two countries (NZ
vs Australia) by looking at the words of the two national anthems.
Australia's anthem talks of "Advance Australia... a progressive
attitude. NZ talks of "God Defend NZ", already showing we aren't
going ahead, rather sheltering. A new positive national anthem would be a
great start to recreating a new feel for our country. A national song
needs to lift people up, I don't think ours does that!! Food for thought.
Well done NZ edge, it is great to know there are people out there doing it
for everyone"
Business Manager, Auckland, NZ
"I am ashamed to say that I did not know that Maurice Wilkins was
born in NZ or that we had so many world class scientists this century.
Thank you for helping me articulate some of the feelings I have had about
leaving NZ to achieve my dreams of becoming a scientist, I can assure you,
leaving everything you know for another country crystallises what you feel
about NZ. Every day I think about the things I have learnt and will learn
and about how I will apply them back home once I get the chance. Keep it
up."
Scientist, Melbourne,
Australia
"This site seems like a
great initiative. As an entrepreneur seeking to establish a local
manufacturing enterprise (500 kW wind turbine generators), I have
encountered New Zealand's techno-cultural cringe first hand. It always
amazes me how the rhetoric of the knowledge economy is belied by the
actions of corporate (including SOE) purchasing departments. I spent seven
years overseas working in the wind power industry (California and
England). In England I was promoted to be in overall charge of the
engineering of the top UK company's flagship commercial wind turbine
generator. During that time I also invented a system of power control
which has been patented in several countries. On my return to New Zealand,
I thought it would be self-evident that my experience and advanced
technology provided a unique opportunity to establish a world-class
manufacturing enterprise. But all too often I have encountered the
response that "it doesn't make sense to establish local
manufacturing", or "why reinvent the wheel?", or "it's
safer to buy 'off-the-shelf' from Europe". So how does one break
through the techno-cultural cringe? And ten years after the Porter report,
why haven't things improved? Will the new government make a difference,
either directly or by a change of ethos? Denmark obviously doesn't suffer
from this. With a population of only 5 million, it is the leading force in
wind turbine manufacturing, an industry which world-wide has grown
500-600% this decade. It outshines North Sea oil in terms of its value to
the Danish economy. I would welcome responses from anyone out there who
might be interested in investing in my vision of New Zealand as the
"Denmark of the South Hemisphere."
Director/Mechanical Engineer, Christchurch, NZ
"Congratualtions on having
the vision and applying the resources to establish such a crucial medium.
The only thing standing between NZ and world beating success is attitude.
This site is one of the most practical and effective steps I've seen in
nurturing that attitude - I look forward to being further inspired. One
suggestion is that you profile some NZ organisations that are committed to
practically changing the attitude of individual NZers. Groups such as
Kiwican, TYLA, Hippy and even Outward Bound, whilst not focussed on 'world
beating', are nurturing a change in this generations attitude that could
potentially change the future outlook of NZ society. From that groundswell
of attitude change will come a generation who aspire to achieve and in
doing so will get the flywheel spinning. It's important to give role
models and to publicise success as this site does but it's equally
important to work at the coalface where the cycle of pessimism and poppy
knocking operates. This site could potentially grow to be a library of
practical help, counsel and contact for just about every challenge faced.
Families looking for advice, teenagers looking for dreams, employers
looking for inspiration would all start at nzedge. I'll certainly be
visiting here on a regular basis!"
Business Manager,
Auckland, NZ
"Great web page, it is now up to us Kiwi's to pull together. I have
been in the U.S for five years now and every day you can see room for
improvement. If it weren't for the Trees the people could see the forest.
If I can help further to spread the word about the Edge I’m there. When
I look for a new idea it still comes from NZ. At present I am working with
another Kiwi to market the container swinglift in the U.S and Mexico. This
peice of eqt should take the U.S by storm. I rose from a purchasing agent
to assistant general manager of one of the largest Casino's in Laughlin
within 1 1/2 years, only because of my "lets pull together and get on
with it attude" Thanks for the recharge, I will visit this site
often."
Entrepreneur, Property
Devloper, Tucson , Arizona, USA
"Hi Kevin and Brian, We
need to make NZEdge truly an expression of all new zealanders by asking
them (in a national series of dialogues/huis - not just market research)
about our innate sense of Identity. We have to claim this concept of
NZEdge collectively in order to express it to the world. Don't take it for
granted that you know what NZers think or feel - and don't impose the big
Idea on them. I'm not disagreeing with NZEdge, (in fact I think the Edge
concept is true, reflectively gutsy, brilliant and unique) but if you
don't canvas, incorporate and distil the VOX POPULI (so that we NZers feel
we truly have a part of this national mythmaking) then your idea will
remain just that. NZEdge also needs a public platform, groundswell and
ongoing exponential momentum. Otherwise it won't be translated into the
way those NZers greeting the citizens of the world think, feel, speak and
behave. You need to marry both perspectives - yours and ours; in fact,
it's just 'ours', together. Yes, you've mapped historical trends and
national characteristics, added a little scientific theory and psychology,
but how have you tapped into the unique voice of the (extra)ordinary new
zealander? If you want us talking to the world and the citizens of the
world about NZEdge you need to coalesce what all NZers are already
thinking and saying really and ideally - incorporating, validating and
acknowledging the unique voice of new zealanders now. Capture their view,
and their vision of the future. How have you heard and validated our
voice? How? How? How? We need to unite this (unconscious and
unarticulated) collective vision and your big Idea into a NZIdentity (not
merely a Brand burned onto our surface.) It needs to be accessible to, and
the product of all Nzers, NZ genuine and generated. And then it must be
reiterated and reinforced harmoniously: culturally, politically,
commercially, in community and individually. Then we will stand up tall
and sing out, and the world will hear our call. These are only my initial
thoughts. I would love to start a dialogue with you about how to excavate
and express the unique Identity of nations, organisations and individuals.
I'm doing this kind of work now, with paradigm-shifting results. And I've
just created a uniquely NZ brand/company Identity (about to be launched)
that independently expresses the very qualities of NZEdge. I'm excited
about the prospect of generating even bigger ideas! With shared vision,
and passion."
Identity and
Communications Strategist, Wellington, NZ
"Kevin, impressed with the
recent article in North & South read during a recent NZ visit -- to
see Murray's two daughters. Will monitor progress & do agree with your
plan! Fiona's the Brit of our partnership & is always commenting about
how that little ol' country of mine always makes the headlines, news or
just plain have people doing things that are special or different -- one
has to ask why ? Believe that is your point -- which shouldn't ever be
missed. ex Lower Hutt, Wellington, Warwick NY, Sydney, now UK."
Accountant & IT
Consultant, Northampton, England
"I enjoy looking around
your web site and echo the sentiments expressed there."
"How about adding an internet auction site for the best venture
ideas? Framework - Ventures must be based in NZ - Ideas must be presented
in sufficient detail - Ideas must be vetted by a panel of business experts
with sufficient reputation to attract buyers - Ideas that are not by
necessity NZ-specific should be (if possible) disclosure protected.
Purpose - Get that creativity flowing - Get those far out ideas out,
planned and implemented first in NZ, wildly admired and copied all around
the world once we've made some dough out of it - Build up a venture
capital stream into this country. Example - someone in Haast Pass has a
brilliant idea about a low impact exciting tourist venture operating there
and never been done before anywhere. Got the groundwork all worked out
with DOC, business plan and marketing ideas. - Submit's his idea to the
'EDGEVENTURE' auction site - Panel of three reputed business experts from
around the world look at this and agree that it can, will, should and
indeed must work! (They will get their reward if this takes off, issue
them with a few Mindshare certificates). - Venture made public on the site
with conditions of ownership and intellectual ownership addressed -
Business get's started with capital say from EC, takes off and yet another
NZ first! Do this 10 times, notify the global business press and the web
site will be a total success, ideas will bubble and .. hey, just invented
a new venture capital concept, business ownership mode and killer web
application! Any feedback out there? I have a few refinements on this
concept ... maybe some spare server capacity to put this out. Love
your site. Keep it up!"
Entrepreneur, Upper Moutere, NZ
"I found the articles on famous scientists of NZ origin to be
really excellent. In my opinion there is no question the individual
celebrated there should be given their recognition. However I would
suggest that there are a very great many more contemporary scientists who
have much more extensive backgrounds in New Zealand who would also make
suitable subjects for similar articles. Some such scientists have, or are
presently, making their world mark from NZ. Others have left NZ and have
made VERY considerable contributions from a wide variety of foreign
institutions. Let my comments not detract from your presentation, I just
feel that the impact on the reader of old and/or dead scientists is less
than that of those who have achieved world stature in a more modern
era."
Bellport, New York
"Your nzedge.com
website is a great idea! It is reassuring to know that there are still
people with ambition in New Zealand, given that personal achievement has
been so unfashionable lately. Thanks for an inspiring experience. I
thought you might want to hear another story of young New Zealanders
taking on the world (and winning!!). In June and July of last year,
five New Zealanders from Samuel Marsden College, New Plymouth Boys High
School, and myself, formerly of Kelston Boys High School, represented New
Zealand at the Congressional Youth Leadership Council’s Inaugural Global
Young Leaders Conference, held in Washington D.C. and New York City.
395 teenagers from 39
countries, staying at Washington, D.C.’s American University and New
York’s Manhattan College, met and discussed world issues from the point of
view of an assigned country (for example, mine was China). The conference
also heard keynote speakers on subjects such as international crime and
human rights at sites such as the National Press Club in Washington D.C.
The Global Young Leaders
Conference also visited many of the most important places on the Eastern
Seaboard, some being the Presidential Memorials, Arlington National
Cemetery, the Smithsonian Institution, Philadelphia on Independence Day,
Wall Street, the World Trade Center, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
After debating issues
and formulating and negotiating resolutions, The Global Young Leaders
Conference culminated in a Global Summit held at United Nations Headquarters
on the penultimate day. I was elected as one of eight young leaders to chair
the Global Summit.
"What does all this
have to do with Kevin Roberts? Well, before leaving New Zealand for the USA,
I realised that although most of my fellow conference participants would
know New Zealand existed, few would know much more than that. I decided that
a Kevin Roberts-style New Zealand promotional campaign was in order.
A visit to the New
Zealand Tourism Board Auckland office resulted in a package of 100 New
Zealand flyers being delivered to me at American University on the second
day of the Conference. This caused a mild uproar amongst my new friends from
around the world, who had laughed when I said I wanted to "promote New
Zealand" the day before.
We New Zealanders
decided on a ‘midnight mail’ strategy, placing flyers under dormitory
doors while our unsuspecting counterparts slept. The next morning "New
Zealand" were the words on everyone’s lips as they discovered a
country that they had heard of but knew very little about. People from
everywhere in the world were amused and impressed by our idea - except the
Australians (whom I did not waste valuable flyers on!).
The New Zealand flyers
were prominent at many places - one of my favourite photos features the New
Zealanders sitting at the "NEW ZEALAND" seats inside the UN
General Assembly Hall, holding a New Zealand flyer, with a kiwi draped over
the microphone. One group also visited the New Zealand Embassy and I was
able to give them New Zealand information beforehand (apparently Mr Bolger
was not present!)
The idea of promoting
New Zealand was the basis of my being elected as one of eight to chair the
Global Summit at United Nations Headquarters. By the end of the Conference,
New Zealand was the ONLY country to promote itself AT ALL.
Needless to say, the
Global Young Leaders Conference, coupled with the impromptu New Zealand
promotional campaign was the most fulfilling experience of my life. I have
dozens of photos to show, memories to enjoy, and stories to tell!"
Commerce Student, Auckland, NZ
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"Positive Positive Positive Fantastic So Refreshing"
Investment Adviser, Gisborne, NZ
"A proud "hold your head high you fanatastic NZer"
website!! Look forward to regular updates."
Sales Coordinator, Auckland,
NZ
"A proud "hold your head high you fanatastic NZer" website!! Look forward to regular updates."
Sales Co-ordinator, Auckland, NZ
"Great page, great vision,
the New Zealand vision."
Bank Manager,
Christchurch, NZ
"Congratulations on a
positive, optimistic and informative site! I look forward to receiving
updates, and revisiting this site."
Global Marketing
Specialist, Auckland, NZ
"Thanks for setting up
this site. I hope to contribute over the coming months to the development
of a vision for the future. It was a friend who introduced me to the site
and he was clearly inspired, so here I am for the first but definitely not
the last time. Regards, Paul."
Business Development Manager, London, England
"Great site."
Just Finished Uni,
Wellington, NZ
"Great to see - let's take
on the world!"
Business Development
Manager, Auckland, NZ
"Fantastic idea. Keep up
the inspirational work."
Veterinarian, Hawera, NZ
"Brilliant to communicate
and network with other Kiwis at home and abroad."
Exporter/Importer, Dallas,Texas, USA
"Have just read the
article in North & South magazine. Very informative and food for
thought!!! Love the pictures, especially the aircraft!!!"
Flight Attendant,
Auckland, NZ
"I got goosebumps from
reading the profiles in the Heroes section. It makes me proud of NZ and NZ'ers achievements."
Advertising Account
Manager, San Francisco
"Sensational Initiative!!! Good on ya mate!"
Marketing Manager, Shanghai, China
"Great to see some
optimism coming from the top."
Student, Wellington, NZ
"Change your mindset,
Change your world = Change THE world."
Creative, Auckland, NZ
"A Vision Without Action
Is Nothing But An Hallucination."
Anon
"We are so excited to read
of what is going on here. We want to be part of it! We are proud to be
Kiwis and want to see our country prosper - and not just financially! This
is not corny!!!"
Maverick Manager, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
"I'm looking for
inspiration, fresh ideas, new strategies for doing my job better. Talk to
me!"
Radio Producer,
Auckland, NZ
"I think what you are
doing is fantastic! Keep it going. Regards."
Co Director, Auckland,
NZ
"For a small entrepreneur
like myself, with a product that is just begging for national and of
course international sales, I'm motivated by your site to reach not only
my products potential but my potential also."
Physiotherapist,
Christchurch, NZ
"G'day."
Student, Wellington, NZ
"Do it to the world!"
Marketing Consultant / Scriptwriter, Manukau, NZ
"Greetings - Remember Me?
Scraped the paint off the Aeroplane yet? A DUMB idea that one - sheeshe!
By the way - remember NZ is going to LOSE the Americas Cup to Paul Cayard
- Remember you were told by me first three months ago. Meanwhile, the kids
of Otara go starving."
Reality, Reality, Reality
"I live in a community which needs leaders with vision! I have
already quoted from a speech given by you at the World Forum. I think
leadership and vision starts with each of us in our own communities. Best
wishes with this initiative!"
Chartered Accountant, Invercargill, NZ
"Thank goodness you are one of the few genuine, oases of action, in
a desert of procrastination. Stay out front there. We're proud of you. Till
the sooneth. "
Business Humanist and Maverick, Auckland, NZ
"Proud to be a New Zealander out there in the e-business world on
the edge."
E-business consultant, San Francisco, USA
"Hi, Wonderful vision for New Zealand. No tall poppies here. I love
the positivitity of Kevins thinking and feel enthusiatic to be connected
to a global community of New Zealanders. Is Kevin likely to be in London
soon? Perhaps an event could be held at NZ House? "
Marketing Manager,
London, UK
"I like the way the photo images come up and how one is able to get
a full screen of them. I also am more wanting to have contact with other
places like this one. Do you download any form of news letters and what else
can I link up with this network? Please send me any think that would be of
help to me to get full use of this service. Thanks once again."
Labourer, Christchurch, NZ
"Kevin, Congratulations on your fantastic web-site. The tall poppy
syndrome in New Zealand needs to be cut down at the knees and we must
rejoice in the successes of our people, our nation and show a positive
united front to the rest of the world. I commend your efforts and whole
heartedly embrace flying the flag for New Zealand."
Marketing Director,
Auckland, NZ
"I am happy to have information that is applicable to the progress
of New Zealand, and to broaden my knowledge of what is good for the world
generally."
Retired, Auckland, NZ
"About time NZ had a web site like this!"
Managing Director, Auckland, NZ
"I would add 'conversation' to your lists as it is through
conversations (not 'debate') that new ideas & change occurs. ie
gathering around 'questions that matter' which is what we promote in
WorldCafe."
Co Director, Waikanae, NZ
"I'm right behind you.
Give me a call if you need any help. It's a great website and beautifully
done. Obviously the content is great."
TV Presenter, Radio
Host, Author, Auckland, NZ
"I really enjoyed the site
- styley AND interesting."
Company Director,
Auckland, NZ
"Thank goodness for this sense of optimism that has been missing
in New Zealand and which is costing us the global success and recognition
which we deserve. I want to be the best, but it becomes very hard when the
environment you are in doesn't think you can. This only makes me
stronger"
Design Student, Auckland, NZ
"Amazing. Great ideas. Am so thrilled with the new I-Age (neither
Industrial nor Information, but the Idea Age) and Attention Economy. Look
forward to seeing a Black Sheep with a Silver Fern."
Veterinarian, Lower Hutt, NZ
"Since visiting the main
office of National Geographic, in Washington DC, way back in 1970, and
finding that the impressive two story high mural of the world located in
their lobby lacked New Zealand, I have been on a personal crusade to put
us on the map. I am glad someone else is doing the same. It may be excused
if some suburban travel agent in a foreign country forgot to stick NZ on
the wall, but not National Geographic. Keep up the good work!"
Wellington, NZ
"Read the article in the North and South about Kevin Roberts and
this website. I have followed Robert's career with great interest and have
admired his drive, ambition and philosophy for a long time. The name of
this website is brilliant and I was sorry that the NZ Tourism Board were
not able to take advantage of the concept. I look forward to Robert's next
success story. "
Marketing Executive, Wellington, NZ
"I have heard a lot about
it your site. I am looking forward to sharing in some of the
infectiousness."
Laywer, Auckland, NZ
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