On December 23, 2025, a new chapter unfolded for small businesses in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia, as seventeen micro, small, and medium enterprises (UMKM) from Palangka Raya successfully exported more than 300 units of their products to New Zealand. This milestone, marked by a ceremony at the Lifestyle Nusantara Store on Jalan G. Obos VII, Palangka Raya, signals a significant leap for local entrepreneurs eager to expand their reach and raise the global profile of their region's unique handicrafts and cultural heritage.
According to ANTARA, the exported items ranged from rattan combination bags and furniture to an array of handicrafts, all deeply rooted in the ethnic traditions and local artistry of Central Kalimantan. These products, rich in Dayak cultural motifs, represent more than just business—they are a testament to the region's vibrant identity and centuries-old craftsmanship. The move to bring these goods to New Zealand is not just about commerce, but also about sharing a story and a legacy with the world.
Behind this bold venture stands a network of determined individuals and organizations. The Palangka Raya City Government, through its Office of Trade, Cooperatives, UMKM, and Industry, played a pivotal role in organizing the inaugural export. Samsul Rizal, a representative of the city’s trade office, emphasized the importance of collaboration and coordination among UMKM actors to ensure that their products met the rigorous standards required by the New Zealand market. "UMKM that participated in this initial export sent a total of more than 300 product units," Rizal explained. "The business actors have communicated and coordinated regarding the product standards acceptable to the New Zealand market."
But the story doesn’t end with logistics and paperwork. The effort to reach New Zealand was also a matter of heart and heritage. Hairunnisa, the owner of Lifestyle Nusantara Gallery in Palangka Raya and Exquisite Wood Limited in Auckland, New Zealand, worked alongside her husband Rodney Taua (also known as Sidik) to facilitate the export. For Hairunnisa, who has lived in New Zealand for more than a decade, the project is deeply personal. "As someone from Kalimantan, I want Central Kalimantan products to go international and be recognized in various countries," she told ProKalteng.co. Her vision is to use her business networks—spanning stores and major shopping centers in New Zealand—to gradually introduce Palangka Raya’s UMKM products to a broader audience.
Hairunnisa is clear about what sets these products apart: their strong Dayak identity. "We want to showcase Indonesia’s identity, especially Dayak, so that Central Kalimantan products have a strong character in the global market," she said. Her husband Sidik echoed this sentiment, highlighting the resonance between Dayak and Maori cultures. "Dayak culture has a strong uniqueness and shares similar values with Maori culture in New Zealand, making it likely to be accepted by Western markets," Sidik explained. He believes that products carrying stories and cultural heritage will not only stand out but command higher value internationally.
This export initiative is not just a commercial transaction—it’s a calculated step toward building a sustainable, recognizable brand for Central Kalimantan’s crafts on the world stage. The city’s Deputy Mayor, Achmad Zaini, weighed in on the broader significance, noting, "Ethnic and cultural products from Central Kalimantan have great potential in international markets, including New Zealand and Europe. The European market, in particular, greatly values ethnicity and culture. Central Kalimantan products have significant potential to be marketed internationally."
However, the road to international markets is not without its bumps. One of the main challenges, as identified by both government officials and business owners, is meeting the stringent quality standards demanded by overseas buyers. "One of the main challenges for UMKM to break into export markets is fulfilling product quality standards, so business actors must continue to improve quality to compete sustainably," Zaini stressed. This commitment to continual improvement is echoed by the business owners themselves, who see the export as both a validation and a motivation to elevate their craft.
The financial aspect of this venture is also noteworthy. As reported by ANTARA, the export shipping costs this year—amounting to IDR 30 million per shipment—were subsidized by the exporters themselves. There’s hope that the Palangka Raya city government will step in to help cover these costs in the future, making it easier for more UMKM to participate and benefit from similar opportunities. For now, the exporters’ willingness to bear these costs underscores their belief in the long-term promise of international expansion.
For the entrepreneurs involved, the experience has been transformative. Sundari, one of the UMKM owners, expressed her gratitude for the support received: "We thank the city government and fellow UMKM actors who have facilitated our products to reach export markets. This motivates us to keep developing our businesses." Her words capture the optimism and sense of possibility that now pervades Palangka Raya’s small business community.
Looking ahead, the export partners plan to expand their reach by leveraging connections with stores and shopping centers throughout New Zealand. The strategy is to introduce products gradually, allowing the market to become familiar with Central Kalimantan’s distinctive style and craftsmanship. The hope is that, as New Zealanders and other international consumers encounter these unique goods—each with its own story and cultural significance—they’ll come to appreciate not just the products, but the rich traditions they represent.
As the first shipment makes its way across the ocean, there’s a sense of cautious optimism mixed with pride. The journey from Palangka Raya to Auckland is more than a physical one—it’s a journey of ambition, cultural exchange, and community spirit. If these efforts succeed, they could pave the way for even more UMKM from Central Kalimantan to step onto the international stage, bringing with them the colors, textures, and stories of their homeland.
The inaugural export of Central Kalimantan’s flagship products to New Zealand is more than a business milestone—it’s a bold statement about the region’s potential and the power of collaboration. With continued support, both financial and institutional, Palangka Raya’s small businesses may soon find themselves not just surviving, but thriving, in the global marketplace.
