ABP Southampton welcomed His Excellency Sir Jerry Mateparae, New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, on a visit to the Port of Southampton last week.

Sir Jerry received a tour of the port gaining an insight into the day-to-day activities of the UK’s number one export port where 90 per cent of the trade is with countries outside the European Union.

The Port of Southampton is a key gateway for global trade, handling exports worth £40 billion a year and Sir Jerry saw first-hand how goods flow smoothly and efficiently through the port.

ABP Southampton Director Alastair Welch said: “We were delighted to welcome the High Commissioner to the port. Southampton is the UK’s trading gateway to the world and we were able to demonstrate how the port operates day-to-day, providing vital connections to the world and keeping Britain trading.”

Sir Jerry said: "It was fantastic to visit the Port of Southampton and I thank Alastair Welch and his team for their warm hospitality.

"Out trading relationship with the UK is our fifth largest and it was brilliant to see first-hand this state-of-the-art port where so much trade happens."