New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre Kōmaru Kura

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Opening Doors to China: NZ Inc China Strategy

Date: 26 March 2012

Venue: Victoria University of Wellington Law School

Hosted by

  • the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre
  • Business NZ
  • NZ China Trade Association
  • Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)
  • NZ Trade and Enterprise (NZTE).
Conference audience at Opening Doors to China

Following the successful public launch of the NZ Inc China Strategy in February of this year, the Opening Doors to China Seminar explored what the NZ Inc strategy means for businesses and other key stakeholders in New Zealand.

Over 100 guests from the policy community, private sector and academia attended the seminar to hear a series of key messages for NZ businesses entering the China market. Watch the speakers presentations.

The first two speakers, Mr. Grahame Norton of MFAT and Mr. Ivan Kinsella of NZTE, introduced the NZ Inc Strategy, Opening Doors to China: New Zealand's 2015 Vision pdf2011KB. Their goal was to transform excellent political relations between New Zealand and China into tangible economic benefits through growth of commodity and value-added trade and services and behind the border investment.

Mr. Tony Alexander, Chief Economist of the Bank of New Zealand, then explored what recent trends in Chinese growth and economic transformation mean for the New Zealand economy. Alexander succinctly articulated the significance of China's growth and opening over the last few decades.

Ms. Victoria Spackman of the Gibson Group then shared her experience of doing business in China, offering a series of frank observations garnered from working on a joint project with a Chinese television network to create a television series promoting New Zealand and Chinese wines.

Mr. Nelson Sheridan of the Wellington City Council introduced the City Council's Sister City relations with Xiamen and Beijing and the role of Mayoral Delegations to China promoting New Zealand-China business opportunities.

The speakers concluded New Zealand’s future growth and prosperity will depend on our ability to successfully connect with the world, especially our key economic partners, and to build our exports. The NZ Inc China strategy sets ambitious trade and economic goals, and seeks to improve our political and people-to-people links, with government agencies and business working closely together. China offers huge potential for New Zealand exporters.

This year also marks the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and New Zealand. The New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre will host a series of events looking at the growing political and economic links between the two countries.