In these uncertain times, many countries are looking to stabilize their markets or just get out of the hole much less look to expand.   Nobody has been unaffected by the current international financial crisis but some have been less affected than others.

Despite the reduced demand for exports from its very resourceful agricultural system, New Zealand is still in a strong financial position.  After many years of economic prosperity that gave the government a monetary cushion, public debt is significantly lower than most developed nations.  After weathering the storm of the global recession, New Zealand is looking to quickly bounce back and develop a thriving market, largely due to small business, start ups and venture capital.

With a newly elected pro-business government looking to increase financial-sector productivity, a surge in the number of start-up businesses has put pressure on the venture capital market to come up with more funds to allow those businesses to keep going.   New Zealand's  low taxes and lack of restrictions on the market makes it a very appealing place to do business and allow investors to utilize its advanced technological capabilities in biotechnology, wireless communications and medical diagnostics to create investment relationships with research institutions, technology and production companies.  As a result, opportunities are available for investors who are looking for upstart entrepreneurs who may have the next ?big? idea.

Angel investors (http://www.newzealandinvestmentnetwork.co.nz/angel-investor ) are people with significant capital, often entrepreneurs themselves, who provide guidance and access to vital contacts to prospective entrepreneurs who need that initial investment to get them started.  Over the past two to three years the angel market in New Zealand has gained momentum as a result of valuable knowledge gained from experienced investors who help young companies with high potential expand globally.  Just recently, Christchurch's Indigo Systems received a considerable investment from a group of Canterbury angel investors who, according to Indigo director David Rankin, would ?boost the company's New Zealand market and investigate an Australian expansion?.

As part of the largest online angel investment community in the world, the New Zealand Investment Network connects entrepreneurs based in cities such as Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Hamilton with angel investors in New Zealand and worldwide. A list of recent investment proposals from entrepreneurs based in New Zealand is available at www.newzealandinvestmentnetwork.co.nz/home