Our relationship with China

New Zealand and China have a long relationship going back to the 1840s.

The first Chinese immigrant to New Zealand is thought to have been Appo Hocton, who arrived in Nelson in 1842.  The first large scale arrival 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.  New Zealand and China established formal diplomatic relations in December 1972, and the relationship has developed rapidly since then.  Today tens of thousands of students and tourists travel each way every year, and  meetings between political leaders and heads of state take place regularly.

The New Zealand–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) signed in 2008 provided much impetus to the trading relationship. China is now New Zealand’s largest trading partner in goods and second largest overall including trade in services. Since 2007, two way trade has increased from NZ$10 billion to NZ$30 billion. China is one of the world’s fastest-growing economies and its vast population and growing middle class represent huge potential.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.

More on New Zealand’s relationship with China

This Infographic  [PDF, 2.5 MB]was produced in 2017 to commemorate 45 years of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and China.

Read about first steps towards diplomatic ties between New Zealand and China.

Read about our new Embassy in Beijing.

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 - 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 around 450,000 visitors in 2018. New Zealand and China agreed to designate 2019 as the Year of Tourism between the two countries.

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

Notice for New Zealand companies

New Zealand companies trading with China should be aware that on 8 October 2019 the United States’ Department of Commerce added 28 Chinese entities to its Entities List of organisations subject to Export Administration Regulations (announcement (external link); further information (external link)).  The organisations in question tend to work in the fields of surveillance technology, artificial intelligence, facial and speech recognition, big data analytics, and forensic analysis.  The Department of Commerce asserts that they have been implicated in human rights violations and abuses in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region of China. The US announcement may have implications for any New Zealand company doing business in Xinjiang or with the listed entities; any company in that situation is advised to review the relevant information carefully and if necessary seek independent legal advice.

China's cybersecurity law

China’s Cybersecurity Law came into effect on 1 June 2017. 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 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 

While education and tourism are the biggest service exports, as above, 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$3.4 billion in 2018.

Investment

Investment from China including Hong Kong into New Zealand reached NZ$10.6 billion in 2018. After Australia, China is New Zealand’s second largest source country for foreign direct investment, representing almost 10% of our total FDI stock. Chinese investment extends across a range of sectors including primary industries and forestry (30%), infrastructure and commercial development (20%), and manufacturing (15%). Chinese investors are the largest foreign investors in primary products exports, waste management, electrical whiteware, and tourism infrastructure. New Zealand’s limited overseas direct investment in China is mainly concentrated in the dairy sector.

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)

Environment and Climate change

New Zealand and China signed an Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) in 2008. There are three priorities under the ECA: water quality in rural areas; chemicals management and contaminated sites; and invasive species and biodiversity. New Zealand and China have worked together in all of these areas for over ten years.

The New Zealand-China Climate Change Action Plan 2017 gives practical effect to the New Zealand-China Climate Change Cooperation Arrangement signed in 2014. The Action Plan 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.

New Zealand and China are co-leaders of the ‘Nature-Based Solutions’ pillar of the United Nations Secretary General’s Climate Summit 2019 (external link)The purpose of the Summit is to initiate activities that will have a significant impact on emissions ahead of the 2020 recommunication of countries’ nationally determined contributions. The Nature-Based Solutions pillar seeks to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within and across forestry, agriculture, oceans and food systems, including through biodiversity conservation, leveraging supply chains, and technology.

• New Zealand – China Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) [PDF, 206 KB]
• New Zealand – China Climate Change Action Plan (Implementing Arrangement on Strengthening Cooperation on Climate Change)
• 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. New Zealand also operates four Consulates-General:

o New Zealand Consulate-General, Shanghai
o New Zealand Consulate-General, Guangzhou
o New Zealand Consulate-General, Chengdu
o New Zealand Consulate-General, Hong Kong

China is represented in New Zealand by the Embassy of the People's Republic of China, Wellington (external link)

China Capable public sector project 

The New Zealand Government set up the 'China Capable public sector programme to attract, develop, retain and deploy China expertise across New Zealand's 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

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern visited Beijing on 1 April 2019 for meetings with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang. Prime Minister Ardern and Premier Li released a joint statement on addressing the impacts of climate change. A number of arrangements were also signed during the visit, including:

• Memorandum of Arrangement Relating to Science and Research Cooperation
• Memorandum of Arrangement on a Bilateral Financial Dialogue
• Strategic Plan On Promoting Agricultural Cooperation
• Agreement for the Elimination of Double Taxation with Respect to Taxes on Income and the Prevention of Tax Evasion and Avoidance (“Double Taxation Agreement

Press releases related to the visit can be found here.

• https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/new-zealand-china-relations-advanced (external link)

https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/prime-minister-meets-chinese-president (external link)

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang visited New Zealand from 26-28 March 2017. A number of initiatives between China and New Zealand were signed during his visit, including:

• 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]
• 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

2019

• April - Rt. Hon Jacinda Ardern, Prime Minister
• April – Hon David Parker, Minister for Trade and Export Growth
• June – Hon Kelvin Davis, Minister of Tourism
• July – Hon Ron Mark, Minister of Defence
• August – Hon Damien O’Connor, Minister of Agriculture

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

China to New Zealand

• September 2019: Party Secretary for Gansu Province, Lin Duo, visited for meetings with the Minister for Trade and Export Growth, Speaker of the House of Representatives,  and the Mayor of Christchurch.
• March 2019: China’s Minister of Culture and Tourism Luo Shugang travelled to New Zealand for the opening of the China – New Zealand Year of Tourism and meet with Minister of Tourism Kelvin Davis.
• September 2018: Party Secretary for Guangdong Province, Li Xi, visited for meetings with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Foreign Minister Winston Peters, and other Ministers.
• April 2017: Premier Li Keqiang visited New Zealand for discussions with Prime Minister Bill English
• 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