The NZIIA Wellington Branch Student Sub Committee invites you to a roundtable discussion about the US' tariffs and the international political economy with former New Zealand ambassador and New Zealand International Business Forum Director Stephen Jacobi.

Places are limited due to room capacity—please email your expression of interest to:  studentrep.nziia.wellington@gmail.com

About Stephen Jacobi

Stephen Jacobi is the Executive Director of the New Zealand International Business Forum (www.tradeworks.org.nz). He also serves as New Zealand Director of the Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum (www.anzlf.org).

The New Zealand International Business Forum provides leadership to enable New Zealand business to exploit new opportunities in international markets. NZIBF works with businesses and other business organisations to implement key projects, including working to develop New Zealand's key international business relationships.

From 2009-2024 NZIBF was responsible for providing policy advice to the three New Zealand members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) which brings together business leaders from the APEC economies. As Alternate ABAC Member Mr Jacobi led the provision of advice and support to ABAC Members. In 2021, when New Zealand hosted APEC, Mr Jacobi served as Executive Director for ABAC as a whole.

In July 2016 Mr Jacobi received a commendation from the Foreign Minister of Japan for his work in building understanding between Japan and New Zealand.

Mr Jacobi grew up in Auckland and was educated at Auckland Grammar School and Auckland University. He has a First Class Honours degree in French and German and is a graduate of the Ecole Nationale d’Administration (ENA) in Paris, as well as the Leadership Seminar of Georgetown University in Washington DC and the New Zealand Institute for Strategic Leadership (Millbrook). He was a Fulbright Scholar and Visiting Researcher at Georgetown University in 2013. He is a member of the World Class New Zealander network.

Mr Jacobi has broad experience in industry and trade development. He was formerly Chief Executive of the New Zealand Forest Industries Council, Executive Director of the NZ US Council 2005-2014 and Executive Director of the NZ China Council 2016-19, Mr Jacobi is a frequent media and public commentator on industry and trade issues.

Mr Jacobi also has extensive diplomatic, trade and government experience including posts as Deputy High Commissioner in Ottawa, Assistant Trade Commissioner in Paris and adviser on trade and diplomatic issues with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He was formerly Private Secretary to the then Minister for Trade Negotiations, Hon Jim Sutton, advising on trade policy, international affairs and government-to government negotiations.

Mr Jacobi is an accredited director. He is a former Trustee and Chair of the Te Aute Trust Board which operates two Māori Anglican boarding schools, supported by two farming operations, in Hawke’s Bay. He currently serves on the Advisory Board for Export NZ.

Mr Jacobi is also Managing Director of Jacobi Consulting Ltd (www.jacobi.co.nz), a consultancy offering advice to public and private sector clients in the fields of international trade, government relations and industry development.

Mr Jacobi is married to the Reverend Dr Helen Jacobi, and has two adult children and two grandchildren. He lives in Napier.