Thai Airways will resume direct flights to Auckland starting next year after a 20+ year hiatus due to Covid-19, part of a broader strategic partnership between Thailand and New Zealand. The two countries aim to triple bilateral trade by 2045 (targeting US$7.5–NZ$13.5 billion), restore air-freight capacity, and boost tourism and investment. This matters for Thai SMEs seeking export/logistics routes to the Pacific and businesses in aviation, tourism, and trade services.