A new surge in economic development is working to attract Kiwis to Denver.

Inventory: The city recently launched a Global Landing Pad program to encourage New Zealand businesses and other international businesses to open their North American headquarters in Denver.

• Twenty five New Zealand companies now have offices here.
• Invite File, a document-sharing company, announced its move in June and plans to eventually support 140 jobs in Denver.
• This summer, officials reported that the city was courting four other Kiwi prospects.

Between the lines: The 2014 move of the North American headquarters of Xero, an online accounting software company, from San Francisco to Denver helped lead the way.

• The company now employs over 200 people in Denver.

Our thought bubblee, via Axios New Zealand reporter Rebecca Falconer: It helps that the New Zealand economic development agency, the New Zealand Bureau of Trade and Enterprise, has an office in Denver.

• Colorado is a very lucrative place for New Zealand businesses looking to expand, especially as it is a growing hub for technology, aerospace, and agriculture, which are all key industries in New Zealand.
• Plus, there’s only a five-hour time difference (New Zealand is 19 hours ahead of Colorado), which is great if your head office is in the West Indies.
• Colorado may be inland and New Zealand an island nation, but the the landscape is no different in many parts of New Zealand which also has many beautiful mountains and great ski spots.

The big picture: Cultural similarities – from the mountains to the outdoor lifestyle – make the global connection work.

• “State of mind in Colorado is very suitable for New Zealanders “, Andy Burner, vice president of operations at Xero, Recount the Denver Post.