 | |
 China |  New Zealand |
|---|---|
| Diplomatic mission | |
| Chinese Embassy, Wellington | New Zealand Embassy, Beijing |
| Envoy | |
| Ambassador Wang Xiaolong[1] | Ambassador Grahame Morton[2] |
TheChina–New Zealand relations, sometimes known asSino–New Zealand relations, are the relations between thePeople's Republic of China (PRC) andNew Zealand. New Zealand recognised theRepublic of China after it lost theChinese Civil War and retreated toTaiwan in 1949, but switched recognition to the People's Republic of China on 22 December 1972.[3][4] Since then, economic, cultural, and political relations between the two countries have grown over the past four decades. China is New Zealand's largest trading partner in goods and second largest trading partner in services. In 2008, New Zealand became the first developed country to enter into afree trade agreement with China.[5] In recent years, New Zealand's extensive economic relations with China have been complicated by itssecurity ties to theUnited States.
In addition to formal diplomatic and economic relations, there has been significant people–to–people contact between China and New Zealand. Chinese immigration to New Zealand dates back to thegold rushes and has substantially increased since the 1980s.[6]
New Zealand's contact with China started in the mid 19th century. The first records of ethnic Chinese in New Zealand were migrant workers fromGuangdong province, who arrived during the 1860sOtago gold rush. Most of the migrant workers were male, with few women migrants. Emigration from China was driven by overpopulation, land shortages, famine, drought, banditry, and peasant revolts, which triggered a wave of Chinese migration toSoutheast Asia,Australia, New Zealand, theUnited States, andCanada.[7]
Early Chinese migrants encountered considerable racial discrimination and prejudice. In 1871, the New Zealand Government imposed apoll tax on Chinese migrants that was not repealed until 1944. Other discriminatory policies included an English literacy test, restrictive immigration measures, denial of old age pensions, and being barred from permanent residency and citizenship (from 1908 to 1952). After the Gold Rush ended in the 1880s, many of the former Chinese miners found work as market gardeners, shopkeepers, and laundry operators. There was some limited intermarriage withWhite and indigenousMāori women.[8][9]
In 1903, theQing dynasty had established a consulate in Wellington to deal with trade, immigration, and local Chinese welfare. Following theXinhai Revolution in 1912, theRepublic of China took over the consulate. The lack of a reciprocal New Zealand mission in China made the Republic of China's mission in Wellington serve as the primary point of contact between both governments until 1972.[10] During the Republican era, New Zealand interests in China were largely represented by British diplomatic and consular missions. However, there were some attempts to establish New Zealand trade commissions inTianjin andShanghai.[11]
Between 1912 and 1949, there were over 350 New Zealand expatriates living and working in China, including missionaries for various Christian denominations, medical workers,United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (UNRRA) workers, teachers, and telegraph workers. Some notable expatriates included the missionaries Annie James and James Huston Edgar, and the communist writer, teacher, and activistRewi Alley.[12]
During theSecond World War, New Zealand society developed a more favourable view of China because of its status as a wartime ally against Japan. Chinese market gardeners were viewed as an important contribution to the wartime economy. New Zealand also eased its immigration policy to admit Chinese refugees and grant them permanent residency. In the postwar years, many Chinese migrants, including women and children, settled in New Zealand since the Communist victory in 1949 made it difficult for many to return home.[13]
Following the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in 1949, New Zealand did not initially recognise the new government. Instead, it joined Australia and the United States in continuing to recognise the Republic of China (ROC) government, which had relocated toTaiwan, as the legitimate government of China. Between 1951 and 1960, New Zealand and Australia consistently supported a US moratorium proposal to block Soviet efforts to seat the PRC as the lawful representatives of China in theUnited Nations and to expel the ROC representatives. By contrast, the United Kingdom had established diplomatic relations with the PRC in 1949. While the conservativeNational Party favoured the ROC, the social democraticLabour Party favoured extending diplomatic relations to the PRC. New Zealand and the PRC also fought on opposite sides during theKorean War, with the former supporting theUnited Nations forces and the latter backingNorth Korea.[14][15]
The PRC government also expelled many missionaries and foreigners, including most New Zealand expatriates by 1951. One missionary, Annie James of theNew Zealand Presbyterian Church's Canton Villages Mission, was imprisoned and interrogated. However, some pro-communist Westerners, includingRewi Alley, were allowed to remain in China. Alley pioneered a working model for secular "cooperative education" in vocational subjects and rural development. Despite the lack of official relations between the two countries, unofficial relations were conducted through the auspices of theChinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries and theNew Zealand China Friendship Society (NZCFS). In addition, theCommunist Party of New Zealand and some trade unions were sympathetic to the PRC rather than the Soviet Union.[16][17]
In 1955Warren Freer (then an opposition Labour MP) was the first Western politician to visit China, against the wishes of Labour leaderWalter Nash but with the encouragement of Prime MinisterSidney Holland.[18]
New Zealand photographerBrian Brake was given irregular access to China in 1957 and 1959, photographingNikita Khrushchev's visit to the country, members of the PRC government likeChairmanMao Zedong, and scenes of life around the country at the time. Brake was the only Western photojournalist who documented the10th anniversary of the People's Republic of China.[19]
Prime Minister of New ZealandKeith Holyoake visitedROC PresidentChiang Kai-shek in 1960. Holyoake had a favourable view of the ROC and permitted the upgrading of the ROC consulate to full embassy status in 1962. However, New Zealand declined to establish any diplomatic or trading mission in Taiwan but opted to conduct its relations with the ROC through trade commissioners based inTokyo andHong Kong. As pressure for PRC representation at the United Nations grew, the New Zealand Government came to favour dual representation of both Chinese governments, but that was rejected by both the ROC and the PRC. In 1971, New Zealand and other US allies unsuccessfully opposedUnited Nations General Assembly Resolution 2758 to recognise the PRC as the "only legitimate representative of China to the UN."[20][21]
In 1971, 78 countries invited Chinese table tennis teams to tour, and New Zealand was the sixth nation's invitation accepted, for a tour in July 1972. The Chinese delegation arrived in Auckland, then flew to Wellington on Monday 17 July where they were met by protesters advising them to defect. They played in the Lower Hutt Town Hall. The following day an official afternoon tea reception was attended by the Prime MinisterJack Marshall, half the cabinet, Labour leaderNorman Kirk, Wellington MayorFrank Kitts, andBryce Harland who was soon to be our first Ambassador to China. A tour followed, to the farm of former All BlackKen Gray atPauatahanui where they watched sheep shearing and sheep dogs.[22]
On 22 December 1972, the newly electedThird Labour Government formally recognised the People's Republic of China, with both governments signing a Joint Communique to govern bilateral relations. According to former New Zealand diplomatGerald Hensley, Prime MinisterNorman Kirk initially hesitated recognising the PRC until his second term but changed his mind because of theMinistry of Foreign Affairs. Kirk was influenced by his Australian counterpartGough Whitlam's decision to recognise the PRC.[23][24][25]
Despite ending diplomatic relations with the ROC, the New ZealandPermanent Representative to the UN negotiated an agreement with his ROC counterpart Huang Hua for both countries to continue maintaining trade and other non-official contacts with Taiwan. The last ROC Ambassador to New Zealand was Konsin Shah, the dean of the diplomatic corps in Wellington.[26][27]
In April 1973,Joe Walding became the first New Zealand government minister to visit China and met PremierZhou Enlai. In return, Chinese Foreign Trade MinisterBai Xiangguo visited Wellington, seeking to sign a trade agreement in New Zealand. The same year, the PRC established an embassy in Wellington, and Pei Tsien-chang was appointed as the first Chinese ambassador to New Zealand. In September 1973, the New Zealand Embassy was established in Beijing withBryce Harland serving as the firstNew Zealand Ambassador to China.[27][28]
Following the1975 general election, theThird National Government abandoned National's support for the "Two Chinas policy" and expanded upon its Labour predecessors' diplomatic and trade relations with the PRC.[27][29] In April–May 1976,Robert Muldoon became the first New Zealand Prime Minister to visit China. He visited Beijing and met withPremierHua Guofeng and Mao, being one of the last foreign leaders to meet the chairman before he passed in July. Muldoon's visit served to strengthen diplomatic and trading ties between the two countries, and to reassure the New Zealand public that China did not pose a threat to New Zealand.[30]
Since the end of the Cold War, bilateral relations between New Zealand and China have grown particularly in the areas of trade, education, tourism, climate change, and public sector co-operation. Bilateral relations has been characterised by trade and economic co-operation. In August 1997, New Zealand became the first Western country to supportChina's accession to theWorld Trade Organization by concluding a bilateral agreement. In April 2004, New Zealand became the first country to recognise China as a market economy during a second round of trade negotiations. In November 2004, New Zealand and China launched negotiations towards afree trade agreement in November 2004, with anagreement being signed in April 2008. In November 2016, both countries entered into negotiations to upgrade their free trade agreement.[5][31]
China and New Zealand have a long history of people–to–people contacts. During the 19th century, migrants migrated to New Zealand to work as miners. Despite racial prejudice and anti-immigrant legislation, a small number still settled down to work as market gardeners, businessmen, and shopkeepers. Following World War II, official and public attitudes and policies towards Chinese migrants were relaxed and more Chinese women and children were allowed to settle. During the post-war years, the Chinese population in New Zealand increased with many becoming middle-class professionals and businessmen.[6]
In 1987, the New Zealand Government abandoned its long-standing preference for British and Irish immigrants in favour for a skills-based immigration policy. By 2013, theChinese New Zealander population had increased to 171,411, comprising 4% of the country's population. Within this group, three-quarters were foreign-born and only one-quarter were locally-born. Of the foreign-born population, 51% came from China, 5% from Taiwan, and 4% from Hong Kong.[32]
In addition, several New Zealand missionaries, businessmen, aid workers, and telegraph workers have lived and worked in China as long-term residents.[12] One notable New Zealand expatriate in China was Rewi Alley, a New Zealand-born writer, educator, social reformer, potter, and member of theChinese Communist Party (CCP). He lived and worked in China for 60 years until his death in 1987. He came to symbolise the important role of people to people contacts in building good relations and accentuating common ground between countries as different as New Zealand and China. In 1997, the 100th anniversary of Alley's birth was marked by celebrations inBeijing and New Zealand.[33][34][35][36]
In an effort to build cultural relations between Maori and Chinese, New Zealand has increasingly utilised a "taniwha and dragon" framework. In 2013, the Taniwha and Dragon Festival, organised in part by the minister of Māori affairs,Pita Sharples, was held at Orakei Marae in Auckland to commemorate historical interactions between Māori and Chinese migrants in New Zealand.[37] Later, it was used to connect iwi businesses with Chinese counterparts, such as the 'Taniwha Dragon’ economic summit that was held in the city of Hastings in 2017. More recently, it has been used by New Zealand's foreign minister, Nanaia Mahuta, to conceptutalise Sino-New Zealand relations more broadly.[38]
In mid-June 2024, China agreed to extend visa-free travel to New Zealanders during a state visit byChinese PremierLi Qiang. In return, New Zealand agreed to support Chinese language training and cultural exchange programmes provided by localConfucius Institutes.[39][40]
On 15 June 2025, Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon andImmigration MinisterErica Stanford announced that the New Zealand Government would be launching a three-month visa waiver trial forChinese citizens with valid Australian visitor, work, family or student visas from November 2025.[41] On 18 June, Stanford followed up with an announcement that Chinese nationals would no longer need to apply fortransit visas from November 2025 and would be eligible to apply for theNew Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZETA).[42] On 27 October, Chinese visitors transiting through New Zealand became eligible for the NZETA visa scheme. From 3 November, Chinese nationals travelling from Australia to New Zealand also became eligible for the NZETA visa.[43]
In 1972, New Zealand's trade relations with mainland China were paltry with NZ exports to China estimated to being less than NZ$2 million per annum. Early New Zealand exports to China included timber, pulp and paper while early Chinese exports to NZ were high-quality printing paper and chemicals.[44][45] Over the successive decades, trade between the two countries grew. In terms of the Chinese share of New Zealand trade, New Zealand's exports to China rose from about 2% in 1981 to about 4.9% in 1988. In 1990, it dropped to 1% due to the fallout from the1989 Tiananmen Square protests and massacre. By 2001, NZ exports to China accounted for 7% of China's New Zealand's overseas trade. Meanwhile, New Zealand imports to China rose from below 1% of New Zealand's trade volume in 1981 to 7% by 2001.[46]
Mainland China (i.e. excluding Hong Kong and Macau) is New Zealand's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade between the two countries in 2023 valued atNZ$37.9 billion. Hong Kong SAR is New Zealand's 13th-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade of NZ$2.1 billion.[47]
New Zealand's main exports to China are dairy products, travel and tourism, wood and wood products, meat, fish and seafood, and fruit. China's main exports to New Zealand are electronics, machinery, textiles, furniture, and plastics.[48][47]
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A free trade agreement (FTA) between China and New Zealand was signed on 7 April 2008 by Premier of the People's Republic of ChinaWen Jiabao and Prime Minister of New ZealandHelen Clark in Beijing.[49] Under the agreement, about one third of New Zealand exports to China will be free of tariffs from 1 October 2008, with another third becoming tariff free by 2013, and all but 4% by 2019.[49] In return, 60% of China's exports to New Zealand will become tariff free by 2016 or earlier; more than a third are already duty-free.[50] Investment, migration, and trade in services will also be facilitated.[51]
The free trade agreement with China is New Zealand's most significant since theCloser Economic Relations agreement with Australia was signed in 1983. It was also the first time China has entered into a comprehensive free trade agreement with adeveloped country.[52]
The agreement took more than three years to negotiate. On 19 November 2004 Helen Clark andPresident of the People's Republic of China,Hu Jintao announced the commencement of negotiations towards an FTA at theAPEC Leaders meeting inSantiago,Chile. The first round of negotiations was held in December 2004. Fifteen rounds took place before the FTA was signed in April 2008.[53]
While the FTA enjoys the support of New Zealand's two largest political parties, Labour and National, other parties such as theGreen Party and theMāori Party opposed the agreement at the time.[54]Winston Peters was also a vocal opponent of the agreement, but agreed not to criticise it while acting asMinister of Foreign Affairs overseas (a position he held from 2005 to 2008).[55]
In early November 2019, New Zealand and China agreed to upgrade their free trade agreement. China has eased restrictions on New Zealand exports and given New Zealand preferential access to the wood and paper trade with China. In return, New Zealand agree to lessen visa restrictions for Chinese tour guides andChinese language teachers.[56][57]
On 26 January 2021, New Zealand and China signed a deal to upgrade their free trade agreement to give New Zealand exports greater access to the Chinese market, eliminating or reducing tariffs on New Zealand exports such as dairy, timber, and seafood as well as compliance costs.[58]
On 1 January 2024, China lifted all tariffs on New Zealand dairy imports including milk powder as part of the NZ-China free trade agreement. This development was welcomed by Minister of Trade and AgricultureTodd McClay, who said that it would bring NZ$330 million worth of revenue to the New Zealand economy.[59]
In May 2015,The Hollywood Reporter reported that several Chinese, New Zealand, and Canadian film companies including theChina Film Group, theQi Tai Culture Development Group, New Zealand'sHuhu Studios, and the Canadian Stratagem Entertainment had entered into a US$800 million agreement to produce 17 live-action and animated films over the next six to eight years. As part of the agreement, the China Film Group's animation divisionChina Film Animation would be working with Huhu Studios to produce an animated film calledBeast of Burden with a US$20 million budget.[60] This partnership between Huhu Studios and China Film Animation was the first official New Zealand–Chinese film co-production agreement. The film was subsequently released asMosley on 10 October 2019.[61][62]
China and New Zealand have a history of education links and exchanges, including bilateral scholarship programmes and academic cooperation. There was a dramatic expansion in student flows and other engagement in the late 1990s. During the 1990s, the number of Chinese nationals studying at public tertiary institutions in New Zealand rose from 49 in 1994, 89 in 1998, 457 in 1999, 1,696 in 2000, 5,236 in 2001, and 11,700 in 2002. The percentage of full fee paying Asian students from China at public tertiary institutions also rose from 1.5% in 1994 to 56.3% by 2002. The increase in Chinese international students in New Zealand accompanied the increase in the percentage of international students at New Zealand universities and polytechnics.[63]
Between 2003 and 2011, the number of Chinese students studying in New Zealand dropped from 56,000 to about 30,000 by 2011. In 2003, Chinese students accounted for 46% of all international students in New Zealand. By 2011, this figure had dropped to 25%.[64] As of 2017, China was the largest source of international students in New Zealand. In 2017, there were over 40,000 Chinese student enrolments in New Zealand.[5]
In 2019 Chinese Vice Consul GeneralXiao Yewen intervened atAuckland University of Technology in relation to an event marking the 30th Anniversary of theTiananmen Square massacre. AUT cancelled the booking for the event and it went ahead at a council-owned facility.[65]
In mid-February 2025, theOtago Daily Times reported that theNational Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA) and the Chinese Institute of Deep Sea Science and Engineering were collaborating in deep sea marine exploration in thePuysegur Trench, which lies off the south-west coast ofFiordland in the southTasman Sea.[66]
New Zealand is represented in China through the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing, with consulates in Shanghai,Guangzhou,Hong Kong andChengdu.[67] The Chengdu Consulate-General was opened by New Zealand Prime MinisterJohn Key in November 2014.[68][69] China is represented in New Zealand through the Embassy of the People's Republic of China inWellington, with consulates inAuckland andChristchurch.[70][71][72]
In addition to its diplomatic relations with mainland of China, New Zealand also maintains diplomatic and economic relations with the Hong KongSpecial Administrative Region. In March 2010, New Zealand and Hong Kong entered into abilateral economic partnership agreement. New Zealand maintains aConsulate-General in Hong Kong, which is also accredited to theMacau SAR. Hong Kong's interests in New Zealand are represented by the Chinese Embassy in Wellington and the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office inSydney.[73][74]
Though New Zealand no longer has diplomatic relations withTaiwan, New Zealand still maintains trade, economic, and cultural relations with Taiwan. Taiwan has twoEconomic and Cultural offices in Auckland and Wellington. New Zealand also has aCommerce and Industry Office in Taipei.[75][76]
New Zealand Ministerial Visits to thePeople's Republic of China:[5]
| Dates | Minister/Delegate | Cities visited | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17-20 June 2025 | Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon,Tourism MinisterLouise Upston and cabinet ministerMark Mitchell | Shanghai, Beijing | Led a business delegation which signed business deals with their Chinese counterparts.[77][78] Luxon visitedFudan University to promote educational ties and met withParty Secretary of ShanghaiChen Jining to discuss bilateral trade.[78] On 20 June, Luxon and the New Zealand delegation metPresidentXi Jinping andChinese PremierLi Qiang to discuss trade and other bilateral and global issues.[79] |
| 26 February 2025 | Minister of Foreign Affairs,Winston Peters | Beijing | Peters met withChinese Foreign MinisterWang Yi to raise New Zealand's concerns about ongoing Chinesenaval exercises in theTasman Sea and China'sstrategic partnership agreement with theCook Islands.[80] |
| 25–30 June 2023 | Prime Minister, Rt HonChris Hipkins | Beijing,Tianjin,Shanghai | Hipkins led a trade delegation and met with Chinese PresidentXi Jinping and PremierLi Qiang.[81] |
| Late March 2023 | Minister of Foreign Affairs,Nanaia Mahuta | Beijing | Met withChinese Foreign MinisterQin Gang to discuss issues of bilateral concern to both countries.[82] |
| 1 April 2019 | Prime Minister, Rt HonJacinda Ardern | Beijing | Ardern met with Chinese PresidentXi Jinping and PremierLi Keqiang and opened the new Embassy of New Zealand building.[83] |
| 24–27 May 2018 | Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters | Beijing | Ministerial visit[84] |
| April 2008[85] | Prime Minister, Rt HonHelen Clark | Beijing | Official visit |
| November 2007 | Minister of Foreign Affairs, Winston Peters | Official visit | |
| September 2007 | Deputy Prime Minister,Dr Michael Cullen | Official visit | |
| August 2007 | Minister of Customs and Youth Affairs,Nanaia Mahuta | Official visit | |
| July 2007 | Minister of State,Dover Samuels | Official visit | |
| May 2007 | Minister of Foreign Affairs,Winston Peters | Official visit | |
| April 2007 | Minister of Civil Aviation; Minister of Police,Annette King | Official visit | |
| March 2007 | Minister of Communications & IT,David Cunliffe | Official visit | |
| December 2006 | Minister of Food Safety & Minister of Police,Annette King | Official visit | |
| November 2006 | Minister for Trade Negotiations & Minister of Defence,Phil Goff | Official visit | |
| November 2006 | Minister of Tourism,Damien O'Connor | Official visit | |
| April 2006 | Minister of State,Jim Sutton | Beijing | Official visit |
| July 2005 | Minister for Trade Negotiations, Jim Sutton | Beijing | Official visit |
| June 2005 | Minister for Trade Negotiations, Jim Sutton | Beijing | Official visit |
| May 2005 | Prime Minister of New Zealand,Rt Hon Helen Clark | Beijing | Official visit |
| February 2005 | Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade,Phil Goff | Beijing | Official visit |
| September 2004 | Minister of Health,Annette King | Beijing | Official visit |
| August 2004 | Minister for Research, Science and Technology,Pete Hodgson | Various | Official visit |
| February 2004 | Minister for Trade Negotiations, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, Jim Sutton | Various | Official visit |
| September 2003 | Speaker of the House of Representatives,Jonathan Hunt | Beijing | Led a parliamentary delegation to China |
| September 2003 | Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Phil Goff | Beijing | Official visit |
| September 2003 | Minister of Education,Trevor Mallard | Various | Official visit |
| December 2002 | Minister for Trade Negotiations, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, Jim Sutton | Various | Official visit |
| May 2002 | Minister of Education, Trevor Mallard | Various | Official visit |
| April 2002 | Graham Kelly and four other MPs | Tibet | Official visit |
| March 2002 | Minister for Trade Negotiations, Minister of Agriculture, Minister of Forestry, Jim Sutton | Various | Official visit |
| October 2001 | Prime Minister of New Zealand,Rt Hon Helen Clark | Beijing | Official visit |
| April 2001 | Prime Minister of New Zealand,Rt Hon Helen Clark | Beijing | Official visit |
| November–December 2000 | Governor-General of New Zealand,Sir Michael Hardie Boys | Beijing | Official visit |
| July 1999 | Prime Minister of New Zealand,Rt Hon Jenny Shipley | Beijing | Official visit |
Chinese Ministerial Visits to New Zealand
| Dates | Minister/Delegate | Cities visited | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| November 2014 | President of the People's Republic of China,Xi Jinping | Auckland andWellington | Official visit[86] |
| October 2003 | President of the People's Republic of China,Hu Jintao | Wellington | Official visit |
| September 1999 | President of the People's Republic of China,Jiang Zemin | Wellington | Official visit |
| Dates | Minister/Delegate | Cities visited | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 2024 | Premier,Li Qiang[39] | Official visit | |
| April 2006 | Premier,Wen Jiabao | Various | Politburo Standing Committee |
| May 2005 | Chairman,National People's Congress,Wu Bangguo | Wellington | Official visit |
| February 2004 | Member of the Politburo Standing Committee,He Guoqiang | Wellington | Official visit |
| November 2003 | Member of the Politburo Standing Committee,Zhang Dejiang | Wellington | Official visit |
| July 2003 | Member of the Politburo Standing Committee,Li Changchun | Wellington | Official visit |
| April 2002 | Member of the Politburo Standing Committee,Wu Guanzheng | Wellington | Official visit |
| May 2001 | Member of the Politburo Standing Committee,Jia Qinglin | Wellington | Official visit |
| March 2000 | Member of the Politburo Standing Committee,Zeng Qinghong | Wellington | Official visit |
| Dates | Minister/Delegate | Cities visited | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 2006 | Secretary-General, Hua Jianmin | Wellington | Official visit |
| September 2006 | Member of theCentral Military Commission, Vice-chairman,Xu Caihou | Wellington | Official visit |
| April 2001 | Member of the Central Military Commission, Vice-chairman, Zhang Wannian | Wellington | Official visit |
| Dates | Minister/Delegate | Cities visited | Reason |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 2024 | Minister of Foreign Affairs,Wang Yi | Wellington | Official visit[87] |
| April 2006 | Minister of Foreign Affairs,Li Zhaoxing | Wellington | Official visit |
| April 2006 | Minister of Commerce,Bo Xilai | Wellington | Official visit |
| April 2006 | Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission,Ma Kai | Wellington | Official visit |
| February 2006 | Minister of Science and Technology, Xu Guanhua | Wellington | Official visit |
| November 2004 | Chief of General Staff,People's Liberation Army, GeneralLiang Guanglie | Various | Official visit |
| May 2004 | Minister of Commerce, Bo Xilai | Wellington | Official visit |
| October 2003 | Minister of the National Development and Reform Commission, Ma Kai | Wellington | Official visit |
| October 2003 | Minister,General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ), Li Changjiang | Wellington | Official visit |
| October 2003 | Minister of Foreign Affairs, Li Zhaoxing | Wellington | Official visit |
| July 2003 | Minister of Culture, Sun Jiazheng | Various | Official visit |
| March 2002 | Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tang Jiaxuan | Wellington | Official visit |
| September 2001 | Minister of Justice,Zhang Fusen | Wellington | Official visit |
| September 1999 | Minister of Foreign Affairs, Tang Jiaxuan | Wellington | Official visit |
China–New Zealand relations has not been without discord. The crackdown by the Chinese Government on theTiananmen Square demonstrations of June 1989 was strongly condemned in New Zealand and official ministerial contact was suspended for more than a year.[88] Other disagreements between Wellington and Beijing have included the suppression of political liberties, Chinese militarisation, the sale of weapons and nuclear technology to Middle Eastern countries, Chinese nuclear testing, and Chinese policies towards Taiwan, Tibet,[89][90] and theUyghur Muslim minority in China'sXinjiang province.[91][92]
In September 2017, theUniversity of Canterburypolitical scientist and China expert DrAnne-Marie Brady presented a conference paper entitled "Magic Weapons: China's political influence activities under Xi Jinping" alleging that the Chinese Government was using local Chinese community organisations and ethnic media as part of a "united front" strategy and theOne Belt One Road initiative to advance Chinesesoft power influence in New Zealand. Alleged Chinese activities have included using "united front" organisations to promote support for Beijing among the Chinese New Zealand community, monitoring Chinese students academics, cultivating relations with New Zealand's political and business elites, and encouraging Chinese diaspora participation in New Zealand politics. Key "united front" organisations have included theNew Zealand China Friendship Society, Peaceful Reunification of China Association of New Zealand (PRCANZ), the New Zealand Overseas Chinese Service Centre, and local branches of theChinese Students and Scholars Association.[93]
According to Brady's research, Chinese state agencies like theXinhua News Agency had forged cooperation agreements with several NZ Chinese media outlets including theChinese Herald, FM 90.6, Panda TV, Channel 37,Chinese Times, Kiwi Style, SkyKiwi, World TV, and NCTV, bringing them in line with Beijing's agenda. Brady also raised concerns about Chinese united front efforts to cultivate the support of politicians from the New Zealand National, Labour, andACT parties including NationalMember of ParliamentJian Yang, Labour candidateRaymond Huo, and ACT candidateKenneth Wang. Brady's paper suggested that Yang had once been a Chinese intelligence officer since he had taught at thePeople's Liberation Army'sAir Force Engineering University and Luoyang PLA University of Foreign Language. In addition, Brady's paper noted that several former National MPs and ministers includingRuth Richardson,Chris Tremain,Don Brash, and former Prime MinisterJenny Shipley had joined the boards of several Chinese banks.[93]
Brady's paper coincided with the2017 New Zealand general election and attracted substantial attention from New Zealand politicians, commentators and the media.[94] The-then Prime MinisterBill English said he had no concerns about the issues raised by the report while Labour leaderJacinda Ardern said that she did not see a need to follow Australia's lead in scrutinising Chinese influence in domestic affairs but vowed to look at the issue further. Don Brash, who was named in the report for his co-directorship of theIndustrial Bank of China in New Zealand, stated that China was no different than other great powers in wanting to extend its influence and cultivate allies. Huo, who was named in the report, stated "that there was a fine line between what Brady has alleged and the genuine promotion of the NZ-China relationship." Former Prime Minister Helen Clark responded that New Zealand should engage with major powers in the Asia-Pacific region but "should not be naive in its interaction with them." Shipley denied being a "mouthpiece" of the Chinese government.[95][96]
Following a 2024 documentary about Chinese government interference in New Zealand byStuff, the Chinese embassy issued a statement warning New Zealand that further investigative journalism on the issue could "harm" the country.[97]
In late November 2018, the New Zealand Government banned the Chinese telecommunications companyHuawei from supplying mobile equipment to national telecommunications companySpark New Zealand's 5G network. This was done at the advice of NZ's signals intelligence agency, theGovernment Communications Security Bureau, which cited a "significant network security risk." The New Zealand ban has been linked to similar efforts by other Western governments including the United States, theUnited Kingdom, and Australia to restrict the usage of Huawei products and services in their 5G networks as well as the ongoingChina-United States trade war.[98][99] GCSB MinisterAndrew Little has defended the ban citing China'sNational Intelligence Law which compels Chinese corporates and citizens to co-operate and collaborate with Chinese intelligence.[100]
Huawei New Zealand managing director Yanek Fan has criticised the New Zealand Government for treating the company unfairly while telecommunications provider2degrees has criticised the ban for harming competition.[101][102]Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Geng Shuan has called on New Zealand to provide a level playing field for Chinese companies. Meanwhile, the CCP-owned tabloidGlobal Times has warned that the Huawei ban would hurt New Zealand's industry and consumers.[103]
In early 2019, various New Zealand media have speculated that the Chinese cancellation of the 2019 New Zealand-China Year of Tourism event atTe Papa Museum in Wellington and the decision to deny anAir New Zealand flight landing rights were connected to the Huawei ban. Air New Zealand Flight NZ289 had initially been denied landing rights due to references in the flight plan toTaiwan as an independent state; something at odds with theOne China Policy.[104][105][106] In response to media reportage,Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern has publicly denied that there has been a breakdown in China–New Zealand relations and stated that the denial of the Air New Zealand flight landing rights was the result of administrative errors.Opposition LeaderSimon Bridges has criticised theLabour-led coalition government for allegedly damaging China–New Zealand relations.[107][108] According to clarification posts in Weibo, the plane was never registered in the CCAR part 125 required by Civil Aviation Administration of China, and landing without that registration will result in loss of points, affecting their operations in China. The particular plane registered as ZK-NZQ has a cabin configuration is not usually used to operate flights to mainland China, and in its 5 months of service have never been to mainland China before.[citation needed]
During a press conference held in mid-February 2019, Chinese Foreign Ministry SpokespersonGeng Shuang denied that there was a breakdown in bilateral relations in response to the cancellation of the 2019 China-New Zealand Year of Tourism event and Chinese media reports discouraging Chinese tourists from visiting New Zealand. He clarified that the Chinese Embassy and consulate generals in New Zealand had issued statements advising their nationals to take precautions against theft and robbery while visiting New Zealand. Shuang characterised the Chinese-New Zealand relationship as "sound and steady."[109][110]
In mid July 2020, GCSB Minister Little confirmed that New Zealand would not ban Huawei equipment in response to similar decisions by the British and United States governments to exclude Huawei from their 5G networks on national security grounds. Telecommunications Users Association chief executive Craig Young welcomed the Government's announcement, saying that a ban would force companies with Huawei equipment to replace expensive equipment due to the integrated nature of the country's 2G, 3G and 4G networks.[111][112] In response to the Government's announcement, Huawei NZ's deputy managing director Andrew Bowater emphasised the company's commitment to helping customers deal with the effects of theCOVID-19 pandemic in New Zealand.[111][113]
In July 2019, the UN ambassadors from 22 nations, including New Zealand, signed a joint letter to the UNHRC condemning China'smistreatment of the Uyghurs as well as its mistreatment of other minority groups, urging the Chinese government to close theXinjiang internment camps.[114]
On 20 July, Prime MinisterJacinda Ardern criticised China's treatment of Uyghurs, the newHong Kong national security law, and Chinese opposition to Taiwanese membership of theWorld Health Organization while addressing the China Business Summit in Auckland.[115] In response, Chinese Ambassador Wu Xi warned New Zealand not to interfere in Chinese internal affairs, stating that "we should not take our relationship for granted and... should make sure that our bilateral relations are immune from various virus in these trying times."[116]
In late April 2021, the libertarianACT party sponsored motion asking the New Zealand Parliament to debate and vote on whether China's alleged oppression of the Uyghur minority constituted agenocide.[117] This motion was supported by theGreen Party and theMāori Party.[118][119] In response,Minister of TradeDamien O'Connor warned that the Uyghur genocide motion could have significant repercussions for China–New Zealand relations. The Chinese Ambassador Wu Xi also issued a statement warning against foreign interference and dismissed talk of forced labour and genocide as "lies" fabricated by anti-China elements.[120]
On 4 May, the ruling Labour Party successfully revised the motion to discuss concerns about human rights abuses in Xinjiang while omitting the term genocide.[121][122] On 5 May, the New Zealand Parliament unanimously accepted a motion stating that "severe human rights abuses" were happening in Xinjiang and called on the Government "to work with all relevant instruments of international law to bring these abuses to an end."[123] On 5 May, the Chinese Embassy issued a statement claiming that the motion was based on a "groundless accusation on China over human rights abuse" and interfered in Chinese internal affairs.[124][125]
In early August 2019, the New Zealand government rebuked Chinese diplomats over recent comments and actions in which they sought to suppress freedom of speech and voiced support for violent opposition to Hong Kong protestors in New Zealand.[126] Earlier, theChinese Consulate-General in Auckland had praised the "patriotic actions" of Chinese students who had confronted a group of pro-Hong Kong democracy student activists at theUniversity of Auckland.[127] The Hong Kong student activists had set up aLennon Wall to express solidarity with the2019–20 Hong Kong protests. One of the Chinese students had reportedly assaulted a Hong Kong student during an altercation at the university in late July 2019.[128][129]Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade officials cautioned Chinese officials about their interference in New Zealand affairs, and Prime Minister Ardern reiterated New Zealand's commitment to free speech on university campuses.[126]ACT Party leaderDavid Seymour also sent a letter to the Consulate-General criticising it for interfering in New Zealand internal affairs.[130]
In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersonHua Chunying defended the actions of Chinese international students and the Consulate-General in Auckland, blaming "Hong Kong independence" activists for stirring up anti-China sentiments at the University of Auckland. While sympathising with the patriotic feelings of Chinese students, Hua reminded Chinese students to abide byNew Zealand law and the regulations of their university. Hua also defended the actions of the Consulate-General as "fulfilling its duty" and "beyond reproach." She also called on certain New Zealanders to stop condoning "anti-China separatist activities" under the guise of free speech. Hua also defended the response of the Chinese Consulate-General inBrisbane following similar clashes between pro-Hong Kong and pro-China students at theUniversity of Queensland.[131][132]
Since 1973, New Zealand and Taiwan have maintained unofficial trade and economic relations in accordance with theOne China policy.[133][76] In early May 2020,Foreign MinisterWinston Peters expressed support for Taiwan rejoining theWorld Health Organization during a press conference. Taiwan has been excluded from the international organisation due to theOne China Policy.[134] The Taiwanese Government welcomed Peter's remarks while the Chinese Embassy objected to Peters' remarks, reiterating that New Zealand should abide by the One China Policy.[135][136] The New Zealand Government has since backed Taiwan's bid to join the WHO, placing NZ alongside Australia and the United States who have taken similar positions during theCOVID-19 pandemic.[137]
On 12 May, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersonZhao Lijian responded by warning that Peters' remarks violated the One China Policy and would hurt bilateral relations during the two countries. He claimed that Beijing had made proper arrangements for Taiwan's participation in global health events and accused Taipei of exploiting the COVID-19 pandemic to seek Taiwanese independence.[138] Peters has stood by his earlier remarks.[139]
In mid-April 2025, a cross-party delegation of New Zealand Members of Parliament visited Taiwan. This delegation consisted ofNational Party MPsStuart Smith,Greg Fleming andHamish Campbell,New Zealand First MPJamie Arbuckle,ACT MPCameron Luxton andLabour Party MPsTangi Utikere andHelen White. The delegation also met withTaiwanese PresidentLai Ching-Te, who issued a statement thanking the New Zealand Government "reiterating the importance of peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait."[140] On 24 April 2025, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand issued a statement expressing "strong dissatisfaction" with the parliamentary visit to Taiwan and accusing the participants of "colluding with 'Taiwan independence' separatist forces during their trip." The Embassy also warned that China "reserved the right to take further measures in response to the visit."[141]
On 9 July, Foreign MinisterWinston Peters announced that New Zealand would review "the setting of its relationship" with Hong Kong in response to the introduction of theHong Kong national security law earlier that month.[142][143] On 28 July, New Zealand suspended its extradition treaty with Hong Kong, with Foreign Minister Peters stating that the new law "eroded rule-of-law principles" and undermined the "one country, two systems" rule. Prime Minister Ardern also criticised the new law for violating New Zealand's principles of freedom of association and the right to take a political view.[144][145] In response, the Chinese Embassy criticised the New Zealand Government for violating international law and norms, and interfering in China's internal affairs.[146] On 3 August, China suspended its extradition agreement with New Zealand in retaliation to NZ's suspension of its extradition agreement with Hong Kong. In response, Foreign Minister Peters' office countered that New Zealand lacked an extradition agreement with China.[147][148]
On 6 October, New Zealand joined a group of 39 mainly US–aligned countries alongsideAlbania,Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada,HaitiHonduras, andJapan in issuing a joint statement at the United Nations to denounce China for its treatment of ethnic minorities and for curtailing freedoms in Hong Kong.[149]
On 18 November, the New Zealand Foreign MinisterNanaia Mahuta joined her Australian, Canadian, British and United States counterparts in issuing a joint statement condemning the disqualification of pro-democracy legislators as a breach of Hong Kong's autonomy and rights under the framework of theSino-British Joint Declaration.[150][151] In response, theChinese Foreign Ministry's spokespersonZhao Lijian issued a warning to theFive Eyes countries, stating that "No matter if they have five eyes or 10 eyes, if they dare to harm China's sovereignty, security and development interests, they should beware of their eyes being poked and blinded."[152][153] In response, Mahuta defended New Zealand's commitment to free speech, free media, and democracy.[151]
On 1 December 2020, Prime Minister Ardern expressed concern about a doctored Chinese Foreign Ministry official Zhao Lijian'sTwitter post showing an Australian soldier holding a bloodied knife against the throat of anAfghan child, describing the post as "un-factual." Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta had also described the tweet as "inflammatory disinformation" and conveyed New Zealand's concerns to Beijing.[154] The Australian Government had earlier condemned the tweet as "offensive" and "outrageous" and demanded an apology from Beijing. The Chinese post had occurred against the backdrop of theBrereton Report and recent tensions inAustralia–China relations.[155][156] In response, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersonHua Chunying expressed surprise at New Zealand's concern and defended the accuracy of the picture and posts.[157]
In mid-April 2021, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta stated that New Zealand would not let the United States–ledFive Eyes alliance dictate itsbilateral relationship with China and that New Zealand was uncomfortable with expanding the remit of the intelligence grouping. In that statement Mahuta also described the relationship between New Zealand and China as the relationship between ataniwha and a dragon. Mahuta's statements came amidst rising disagreements between Wellington and Canberra on how to manage relations with Beijing. The Australian Government has expressed concern about the New Zealand Government's perceived efforts to undermine collective attempts to push back against what it regards as "increasingly aggressive behaviour from Beijing."[158][159]
In response to Mahuta's remarks, Prime Minister Ardern claimed that New Zealand was still committed to the Five Eyes alliance but would not use the group as its first point for messaging on non-security matters. WhileThe Telegraph's defence editorCon Coughlin criticised New Zealand for undermining the Five Eyes' efforts to put a united front against Beijing, theGlobal Times praised New Zealand for putting its own national interests over the Five Eyes.[160][161]
On 20 July 2021, the Minister in charge of theGovernment Communications Security Bureau (GCSB)Andrew Little confirmed that the spy agency had established links between Chinese state-sponsored actors known as "Advanced Persistent Threat 40" (APT40) and malicious cyber activity in New Zealand. In addition, Little confirmed that New Zealand was joining other Western governments including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia and the European Union in condemning theChinese Ministry of State Security and other Chinese state-sponsored actors for their involvement in the2021 Microsoft Exchange Server data breach.[162][163] In response, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand rejected these allegations and lodged a "solemn representation" with the New Zealand Government.[164]
On 21 July, Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta confirmed that New Zealand Foreign Ministry officials had met with Chinese Embassy officials at the request of the Chinese Embassy in response to the cyber attack allegations. The Embassy urged the New Zealand Government to abandon its so-called "Cold War mentality." New Zealand exporters have expressed concerns that an escalation of diplomatic tensions could have serious implications for China-New Zealand trade.[165]
In March 2024 the GCSB's Director-General Andrew Clark, GCSB MinisterJudith Collins, Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon and Foreign MinisterWinston Peters accused the Chinese government of using hacker groupAPT40 to breach theNew Zealand Parliamentary Service and theParliamentary Council Office's computer systems in 2021. In response, a Chinese Embassy spokesperson dismissed the complaint as "groundless and irresponsible accusations" and confirmed it would lodge a complaint with New Zealand officials. Reports of the data hack accompanied reports that the United States, British and Australian governments had sanctioned APT40 for similar activities in their countries.[166][167] Former Prime Minister and Labour leaderChris Hipkins confirmed he had also been briefed about the attempted cyber attacks back in 2021 but had not publicly disclosed the attack due to procedures around protecting sources, navigating loopholes and managing diplomatic relations with China.[167]
Following the2021 Hong Kong legislative election held in December 2021, Foreign Minister Mahuta joined New Zealand's Five Eyes partners in issuing a joint statement criticising the exclusion of opposition candidates and urging China to respect human rights and freedoms in Hong Kong in accordance with theSino-British Joint Declaration.[168] In response, the Chinese Embassy in Wellington issued a statement claiming the elections were "politically inclusive and fair" and urging the Five Eyes alliance to respect Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong.[169]
In late March 2022, Prime Minister Ardern and Foreign Minister Mahuta joined the Australian Government in voicing concerns about a proposed Solomon Islands security agreement with China. This agreement would allow China to deploy military and security forces in the Solomon Islands and to establish a military base.[170][171][172]
On 1 February 2024, Australia agreed to brief New Zealand onAUKUS Pillar 2 developments following a joint bilateral meeting between Australian and New Zealand foreign and defence ministersPenny Wong,Winston Peters,Richard Marles andJudith Collins inMelbourne. Australian Defence Minister Marles confirmed that Australia would send officials to brief their New Zealand counterparts on Pillar 2, which would focus on the exchange of non-nuclear military technology.[173][174] The four ministers also issued a joint statement expressing concerns about human rights violations inXinjiang,Tibet andHong Kong.[175] In response to the joint Australian-NZ meeting, the Chinese Embassy in Wellington issued a statement condemning alleged interference in China's domestic affairs and describing AUKUS as inimical to international nuclear non-proliferation efforts.[176][175] On 12 February, theNew Zealand Labour Party also abandoned its previous support for the Pillar Two component of AUKUS, with associate foreign spokespersonPhil Twyford describing AUKUS as an "offensive warfighting alliance against China."[177]
In early February 2025, New Zealand Foreign MinisterWinston Peters criticised theCook Islands Prime MinisterMark Brown for not consulting New Zealand about plans to sign a strategic partnership agreement with China in mid-February 2025. As anassociated state in afree association relationship with New Zealand, the Cook Islands and New Zealand are obliged to consult each other on foreign policy and security issues.[178][179] Brown has rejected New Zealand's position on the grounds that the partnership agreement did not involve foreign affairs and defence.[180] Brown's relations with New Zealand had also been strained after Peters blocked his plans to introduce a separate Cook Islands passport while retainingNew Zealand citizenship.[181]
On 7 February 2025, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand issued a statement that China and the Cook Islands "have treated each other as equals and pursued mutually beneficial relations since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1997."[182] On 10 February,Chinese Foreign Ministry spokespersonGuo Jiakun stated that "the relationship between China and the Cook Islands does not target any third party, and should not be disrupted or restrained by any third party."[183] The Cook Islands and Chinese governments signed the partnership agreement on 14 February. In response, a spokesperson for Peters said that New Zealand would review the agreement in accordance to its national interests and constitutional relationship with the Cook Islands.[184]
On 20 February 2025, New Zealand Defence MinisterJudith Collins andAustralian Defence MinisterRichard Marles confirmed that theAustralian andNew Zealand Defence Forces were monitoring three Chinesenaval warships that were sailing throughinternational waters nearSydney.[185] The Chinese warships carried out three live-fire exercises, disrupting several flights across theTasman Sea.[186][187] On 26 February, Foreign Minister Peters met with Chinese Foreign MinisterWang Yi to raise New Zealand's concerns about ongoing Chinese naval exercises in theTasman Sea and China'srecent partnership agreement with theCook Islands.[80] Wang agreed to consider New Zealand and Australian concerns that its military did not give enough notice before staging live-fire exercises in the Tasman Sea.[188]
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In July 2025, a diplomatic incident emerged between China and New Zealand after the Chinese Embassy attempted to pressure theDocEdge Festival in Auckland to cancel the screening of a documentary critical of China's activities in theSouth China Sea. The festival organisers received a formal letter from the embassy objecting to the film's portrayal of maritime disputes and reiterating China's historical claims in the region. In response, DocEdge publicly defended its programming choices, affirmed its commitment to curatorial independence and free expression, and published the embassy's letter in full. The festival encouraged viewers to watch the film and draw their own conclusions. The incident highlighted growing concerns over foreign diplomatic efforts to influence cultural and media events in New Zealand.[189][190] The Chinese Consulate General in Auckland had requested cancellation of further screenings of the documentary which had already premiered on June 30. DocEdge published the consulate's statement on its website, citing a "commitment to transparency and fairness".[190] The documentary in question wasFood Delivery: Fresh From the West Philippine Seas.
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