The Asia New Zealand Foundation

Te Whītau Tūhono 

Equipping New Zealanders to excel in Asia

From the Abode of Clouds to the Land of the Long White Cloud

As an Indigenous woman entrepreneur from Meghalaya, India, Ribahun Umsong has built her business, Urlong, on the foundations of community, sustainability, and traditional Indigenous knowledge. In March 2025, she was one of nine Indian agribusiness entrepreneurs selected to visit New Zealand as part of the inaugural New Zealand India Entrepreneurship Initiative (NZIEI)—a programme aimed at strengthening business ties between the two countries. In this article, Ribahun shares the highlights of her journey, the meaningful connections she made, and the key lessons she’s bringing back home.