Our relationship with China

New Zealand and China have a relationship that started in the 1840’s. Since New Zealand and China established diplomatic relations in December 1972, the relationship has developed rapidly, particularly in recent years.

The first Chinese immigrant to New Zealand is thought to have been Appo Hocton, who arrived in Nelson in 1842. The first large scale influx of Chinese to New Zealand occurred in the 1860s, initially for gold-mining. Official contact began in 1912 with trade, missionary, immigration and other links but this came to a standstill in 1949, when the People’s Republic of China was formed. Today tens of thousands of Chinese students and hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists come to New Zealand each year, and visits between political leaders and heads of state take place regularly

China is New Zealand’s largest trading partner in goods and second largest overall including trade in services. The New Zealand–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 2008 was China's first FTA with a developed country. China is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and its vast population and growing middle class represent huge potential.

Primer on New Zealand’s relationship with China

To understand more about New Zealand’s bilateral relationship with China, please see this helpful infographic [PDF, 2.5 MB].

The five firsts

 China attributes “five firsts” to New Zealand:

1. In 1997 New Zealand became the first country to agree to China’s accession to the WTO by concluding the bilateral negotiations component of that process.
2. New Zealand was the first country to recognise China as a market economy in 2004.
3. New Zealand was the first developed country to commence FTA negotiations with China. In November 2004, New Zealand and China launched FTA negotiations.
4. In April 2008, New Zealand became the first country to successfully conclude Free Trade Agreement negotiations with China.
5. In November 2016, New Zealand and China jointly announced the launch of negotiations to upgrade our bilateral FTA, a first for a developed country with China.

But New Zealand’s innovative relationship with China extends beyond its trading relationship, and into areas including aid cooperation and mutual recognition of each other’s systems. For example:

• In 2013, New Zealand was the first country to undertake a tripartite development project with China, providing better water infrastructure to the Cook Islands.
• In 2014, New Zealand was the first country to sign inter-governmental agreements with China to jointly produce both television and film productions.
• In 2015, New Zealand was the first developed country to become a prospective founding member of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB); and
• In 2016, New Zealand was the first country to achieve mutual recognition with China on organic food certification.

Education and tourism

Education and tourism links have been growing strongly over the past decade. From early beginnings when both countries offered an exchange programme for three students each, China is now our largest source of foreign students and there were over 40,000 Chinese student enrolments in New Zealand in 2017.

Tourism between our two countries has also increased rapidly.  Our first diplomats had to walk into China after flying to Hong Kong because China had no international air links.  In high season, there are now over 80 direct flights between New Zealand and China (including Hong Kong) every week.  China is the second, and most rapidly-growing, source of tourists to New Zealand (behind Australia), with over 400,000 visitors in 2016.

Trade

2018 statistics

We have a strong and growing trade relationship with China. The NZ-China FTA was initially projected to increase our exports by between $225-$350 million each year. However this was rapidly exceeded, with exports increasing by $1 billion in the first year, and growth continuing.

New Zealand–China FTA

The New Zealand-China FTA was New Zealand’s biggest trade deal since the Closer Economic Relations agreement with Australia in the 1980s. It cements the trading relationship between our two countries, and frees up business for exporters, the service sector and investors. By 2016, New Zealand had duty free access on over 97% of China’s tariff lines, with core dairy products transitioning to full free trade in 2024 for milk powders, and two years earlier for butter, cheese and liquid milk and cream.

NZ-China FTA upgrade

China's cybersecurity law

China’s Cybersecurity Law came into effect on 1 June. It aims to protect China's national security – the definition of which extends to maintaining territorial integrity, social and economic stability, and the public order.

It regulates how organisations and businesses should protect digital information:

• including whether and under what circumstances it can be transferred out of mainland China
• introduces measures aimed to safeguard internet systems, products and services against cyber-attacks.

This is an evolving area of law that applies to companies differently, depending on their nature and the area they
operate in. We’ll keep you informed as changes develop – in the meantime, we recommend that you:

• consider the updates to Chinese cybersecurity law and how they will relate to your business
• review your policies on information technology, information security management and personally identifiable information
• check whether your VPN provider in China is a “licensed” provider
• consider whether you might need to seek specialised legal and/or technical advice.

Understanding China's cybersecurity law — information for New Zealand businesses [PDF, 763 KB]

Trade in services

China is New Zealand’s largest education market, with over 40,000 Chinese students in New Zealand in 2017. Chinese visitor arrivals numbered more than 436,000 in 2017. China is New Zealand’s second-largest source of visitors after Australia. While education and tourism are the biggest service exports, New Zealand also increasingly exports  ‘knowledge economy’ services such as design, information technology, film and TV, and food safety. New Zealand’s overall services exports to China increased to NZ$2.9 billion in 2017.

Investment

Investment between New Zealand and China including Hong Kong has been growing strongly in recent years, reaching NZ$ 6.2 billion in 2016. Chinese investment exists across a diverse range of sectors. Some recent high profile Chinese investments in New Zealand include into Envirowaste and Waste Management, Fisher and Paykel Appliances, Synlait, and PGG Wrightson.  Large New Zealand investments in China include Fonterra and Fletcher Building's Formica Group.

Free trade agreements with China

We have a free trade agreement with China:

• NZ-China free trade agreement

We're also negotiating a regional free trade agreement that includes China:

• Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP)

Aid

New Zealand no longer has an official aid programme in China — this stopped in 2005. However, we still contribute approximately $300,000 a year through the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing, which funds small-scale projects that reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous China.

Climate change

The New Zealand-China Climate Change Action Plan 2017 enables Chinese and New Zealand carbon markets experts to share technical information and expertise on carbon markets and emission trading schemes, as well as agricultural greenhouse gas mitigation.

The two countries also agree to cooperate more in international climate change negotiations.

The action plan was announced in March 2017 during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s visit to New Zealand. It gives practical effect to the broad approach set out in the New Zealand-China Climate Change Cooperation Arrangement signed by the two countries’ leaders in 2014.

• New Zealand-China Climate Change Action Plan 2017 [PDF, 414 KB]
• New Zealand-China Climate Change Action Plan 2017  fact sheet [PDF, 93 KB]

Embassies

• New Zealand is represented in China by the New Zealand Embassy, Beijing
• There is also the:
• New Zealand Consulate-General, Shanghai
• New Zealand Consulate-General, Guangzhou
• New Zealand Consulate-General, Chengdu
• China is represented in New Zealand by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Wellington (external link)
• Read about our new embassy in Beijing 

China Capable public sector project 

The New Zealand Government has recently set up the 'China Capable public sector programme'. This programme aims to attract, develop, retain and deploy China expertise across New Zealand's public sector agencies.

China is New Zealand’s second largest trading partner, and our largest goods trading partner, and is different from our traditional trading partners in many respects, including culture and language. Therefore the China Capable public sector project aims to develop China expertise across our public sector agencies. This is an all-of-government project that is currently being led by MFAT.

• Read more about the project

China-New Zealand initiatives, announced March 2017

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited New Zealand from March 26-28. A number of initiatives between China and New Zealand were signed during his visit. The full list is on the Beehive website (external link). These initiatives included nine arrangements signed on behalf of a number of government agencies. These include:

• Memorandum of Arrangement on Strengthening Cooperation on the Belt and Road Initiative between the Government of New Zealand and the Government of The People’s Republic Of China. Download the memorandum [PDF, 495 KB]. We are in discussions with China on the implementation of our Belt and Road Memorandum of Arrangement.  This includes developing a work plan based on information sharing, which targets specific issues, and focuses on areas clearly in New Zealand’s national interest.

• Arrangement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Ministry of Commerce of The People’s Republic Of China on Cooperation on Electronic Commerce. Download the arrangement [PDF, 431 KB].

• Arrangement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand and the Ministry of Commerce of the People’s Republic of China on Strengthening Exchanges on International Development Cooperation. Download the document [PDF, 466 KB].

Recent official visits

New Zealand to China

2018

• May - Rt. Hon Winston Peters, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Foreign Affairs
• July - Hon James Shaw, Minister for Climate Change
• July - Hon Chris Hipkins, Minister of Education
• September - Hon Shane Jones, Minister of Forestry
• September - Hon Dr. Megan Woods, Minister of Science, Research and Innovation
• November - Hon David Parker, Minister for Trade and Economic Growth

2017

• February - Hon Nicky Wagner, Minister of Customs – February
• May - Hon Paul Goldsmith, Minister of Science and Innovation; Tertiary Education

2016

• April  - Hon Nathan Guy, Minister of Primary Industries
• April  - Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister
• July - Hon Todd McClay, Minister of Trade
• September - Hon Jo Goodhew, Minister of Food Safety
• October - Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• October - Hon Gerry Brownlee, Minister of Defence
• October - Hon Todd McClay, Minister of Trade
• November - Hon Peseta Sam Lotu-liga, Minister for Ethnic Communities

2015

• January - Hon Craig Foss, Minister of Small Business
• March - Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade
• April - Hon Steven Joyce, Minister of Science and Innovation, Economic Development
• May - Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• June - Rt Hon. Bill English, Deputy Prime Minister/Minister of Finance
• July - Rt Hon Bill English, Deputy Prime Minister/Finance
• August - Hon Michael Woodhouse, Minister of Police/Immigration
• September - Hon Gerry Brownlee, Minister of Defence
• September - Hon Steven Joyce, Minister of Economic Development
• September - Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade
• October - Hon Steven Joyce, Tertiary Education
• October - Hon Nicky Wagner, Minister of Customs/Disability Issues
• October - Hon Te Ururoa Flavell, Minister of Māori Development
• November - Hon Nathan Guy, Minster of Primary Industries

2014

• February - Hon Pita Sharples, Minister of Māori Affairs 
• March - Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade
• March - Rt Hon, John Key, Prime Minister
• March - Hon Nikki Kaye, Minister of Food Safety
• May - Hon Jo Goodhew, Minister of Women’s Affairs
• May - Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade
• June - Hon Simon Bridges, Minister of Energy and Resources
• July - Hon Michael Woodhouse, Minister of Police
• November  - Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• November  - Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade
• November  - Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister

2013

• April - Hon Steven Joyce, Minister of Economic Development
• April - Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• April - Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade
• April - Hon Pita Sharples, Minister of Māori Affairs
• April - Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister
• June - Hon Nathan Guy, Minister of Agriculture
• July - Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• July - Hon Michael Woodhouse, Minister of Immigration
• October - Hon Judith Collins, Minister of Justice
• November - Hon Jonathan Coleman, Minister of Defence
• November - Hon Steven Joyce, Minister of Economic Development
• December - Hon Amy Adams, Minister of Broadcasting 

2012

• March - Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade
• April - Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• April - Hon Nathan Guy, Minister of Immigration
• June - Hon Pita Sharples, Minister of Maori Affairs
• June - Hon Judith Collins, Minister of Ethnic Affairs/Justice
• July - Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs

2011

• April - Hon Nick Smith, Minister for the Environment
• April - Hon Bill English, Deputy Prime Minister
• August - Hon Jonathan Coleman, Minister of State Services
• August - Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade

2010 

• February - Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade
• March - Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade
• March - Hon Murray McCully, Minister of Foreign Affairs
• March - Hon David Carter, Minister of Agriculture, Biosecurity, Forestry
• March - Hon Pansy Wong, Minister of Ethnic Affairs
• May - Hon Tim Groser, Minister of Trade
• June - Hon Anne Tolley, Minister of Education
• June - Hon Steven Joyce, Minister of Tertiary Education
• June - Hon Gerry Brownlee, Minister of Economic Development
• July - Hon Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister
• July - Hon Pansy Wong, Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Women's Affairs
• September - Hon Pita Sharples, Minister of Maori Affairs
• September - Hon Pansy Wong, Minister of Ethnic Affairs and Women's Affairs
• October - Hon Maurice Williamson, Minister of Customs
• October - Hon Steven Joyce, Minister of ICT
• October - Hon Wayne Mapp, Minister of Research, Science and Technology
• November - Hon Phil Heatley, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture

2009

• April - Hon Pansy Wong, Minister of Ethnic and Women's Affairs
• April - Rt Hon John Key, Prime Minister
• September - Hon Dr Wayne Mapp, Minister of Defence and Research, Science & Technology 
• October - Hon Kate Wilkinson, Minister of Food Safety

China to New Zealand

• March 2017: Deputy Administrator of Civil Aviation Administration Li Jian met with New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority in Wellington
• February 2017: Vice Chair of the National Development and Reform Commission Zhang Yong attended the Inaugural Senior Climate Change Dialogue held in New Zealand
• February 2017: Minister of China National Tourism Administration Li Jinzao visited New Zealand and met with Deputy PM and Tourism Minister Paula Bennett
• December 2016: Industry and Information Technology Vice Minister Liu Lihua met with senior officials from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
• June 2016: Justice Minister Wu Aiying visited met Justice Minister Amy Adams, Police Minister Collins and the New Zealand Law Society
• May 2016: Politburo Member for Publicity, Liu Qibao met Prime Minister John Key, Culture and Heritage Minister Maggie Barry and launched a China Film Week at Te Papa, co-hosted by China and the New Zealand Film Commission
• April 2016: Procurator-General Cao Jianming met Justice Minister Amy Adams, Attorney-General Chris Finlayson, Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias as well as Corrections Minister Judith Collins
• November 2014: President Xi Jinping made a state visit to New Zealand. He met with Governor-General Jerry Mateparae and held talks with Prime Minister John Key