Before engaging with overseas partners, it’s vital to know who you’re dealing with. Eastern Bridge helps councils and organizations avoid risk by conducting discreet, efficient due diligence on potential international contacts.
THIS SERVICE IS ONLY AVAILABLE TO ONGOING CLIENTS OR PART OF A PROJECT-BASED ENGAGEMENT. IT IS NOT OFFERED AS A ONE-OFF PUBLIC SERVICE.
Establishing international relationships — whether for investment, trade, education, or cultural exchange — comes with risk. Inaccurate claims, misrepresented credentials, and opportunistic “tire kickers” are common, particularly in markets where transparency standards vary. Without proper checks, organisations can waste time, lose money, or damage their reputation by engaging with the wrong partners.
Eastern Bridge has been supporting New Zealand councils, economic development agencies, iwi, and businesses since 2014 by conducting targeted background checks and light due diligence. With a network across Asia and deep familiarity with public records, corporate registries, and local business practices, we identify red flags early
What We Offer
Every year, councils and regional organisations are approached by individuals and businesses claiming to represent overseas investors, education agents, sister cities, or trade interests. While many of these are genuine, others are time-wasters, opportunists, or misrepresentations of larger entities.
Eastern Bridge conducts light due diligence and credibility screening, with a focus on:
- Verifying company registration, legal standing, and ownership
- Reviewing online presence, media coverage, and reputational red flags
- Identifying connections with relevant government or institutional bodies
- Assessing alignment between expressed intentions and known capabilities
Between 2015 and 2019, Eastern Bridge conducted over 1,200 background checks, primarily focused on Chinese, Korean, and Vietnamese companies seeking to engage with New Zealand councils. These checks helped filter out low-quality leads and protected clients from reputational risk.
Our Approach
- Initial Briefing: We meet with the client to understand the scope of the engagement, including the proposed project, entity name, and any communication to date.
- Desktop Review: Using local knowledge, language fluency, and region-specific sources, we examine the organisation’s structure, history, and connections.
- Assessment: We identify any inconsistencies, missing information, or potential red flags.
- Summary Report: A short, plain-language report is provided, including a risk assessment and recommendation.
If required, we can also discreetly contact offshore partners or leverage local contacts for clarification.
Why This Matters
Local governments and community organisations must protect their reputations, staff time, and resources. International engagement carries risk—especially when engaging with unfamiliar entities in different legal, commercial, and cultural environments.
Background checks help:
- Avoid engagement with illegitimate or unserious actors
- Prevent diplomatic or reputational missteps
- Improve success rates by prioritising credible leads
- Demonstrate governance and accountability