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The 12th China Business Summit was held on 25 June 2026 at Cordis, Auckland, at a pivotal moment for the New Zealand–China relationship.
New Zealand’s leading political, business and strategic voices came together to examine the economic, commercial and geopolitical forces reshaping the relationship — from global fuel disruption and supply-chain resilience to artificial intelligence, green technology, productivity, investment and great-power competition.
The Summit provided a platform for senior policymakers, exporters, diplomats and thought leaders to consider how New Zealand can manage risk, strengthen its commercial engagement with China and position itself for the opportunities ahead.
CALL TO ORDER
Summit MC Tim McCready
WELCOME TO THE 12TH CHINA BUSINESS SUMMIT
Fran O’Sullivan, Summit Co-Chair and Managing Director, NZINC.
PRIME MINISTER’S OPENING ADDRESS WITH Q&A
Rt Hon Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon addressed the challenges facing governments and businesses amid global fuel disruption, geopolitical uncertainty and growing pressure on international supply chains.
He also discussed New Zealand’s relationship with China, the mutual dependencies between the two economies and the opportunities ahead for trade and investment.
Moderator: Fran O’Sullivan, Summit Co-Chair
VIEW FROM THE TOP
Senior leaders from Fonterra, Auckland Airport, Air New Zealand and the Ministry for Primary Industries discussed how New Zealand’s major exporters and trade institutions are responding to fuel disruption and pressure on global supply chains.
The panel explored where China fits within their evolving strategies, the risks facing internationally connected businesses and their outlook for New Zealand trade.
- Richard Allen, CEO, Fonterra
- Carrie Hurihanganui, CEO, Auckland International Airport
- Nikhil Ravishankar, CEO, Air New Zealand
- Ray Smith, CEO, Ministry for Primary Industries
Moderator: Fran O’Sullivan, Summit Co-Chair
FIRESIDE CHAT — DEEP DIVE INTO CRISIS
Cabinet Ministers Todd McClay and Shane Jones examined the Government’s response to global fuel disruption, including strategic resilience, emergency diesel reserves and plans to protect the New Zealand economy.
The discussion also considered how New Zealand can maintain strong commercial links with China and make greater use of Chinese infrastructure, technology and investment capabilities.
- Hon Todd McClay, Minister for Trade, Agriculture and Investment
- Hon Shane Jones, Minister for Resources and Regional Development and Associate Minister for Energy
Moderator: Simon Bridges, Summit Co-Chair and CEO, Auckland Business Chamber
YEAR OF THE FIRE HORSE
Raymond Yeung examined the hard economics behind the geopolitics as China advances in artificial intelligence and emerging technology while positioning itself as a source of stability in an increasingly volatile global economy.
The session considered what China’s changing economic position means for trade, capital allocation and business strategy in New Zealand and the wider region.
Raymond Yeung, Chief Economist, Greater China, ANZ
Moderator: Fran O’Sullivan, Summit Co-Chair
CHINA’S ECONOMIC OUTLOOK AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH NEW ZEALAND
Ambassador Dr Wang Xiaolong shared his perspective on China’s economic outlook and the evolving nature of China–New Zealand engagement.
His address explored opportunities for continued cooperation in trade, innovation and technological development, and considered how the relationship can remain resilient and forward-focused.
HE Dr Wang Xiaolong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to New Zealand
Moderator: Simon Bridges, Summit Co-Chair
THE PRODUCTIVITY CHALLENGE: LESSONS AND OPPORTUNITIES FROM CHINA
Warren Hu explored whether deeper engagement with China’s experience, capital markets and world-leading infrastructure capabilities could help address New Zealand’s longstanding productivity challenge.
The session considered opportunities to unlock investment, improve connectivity and support New Zealand’s wider economic ambitions.
Warren Hu, Chair, China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand
Moderator: Fran O’Sullivan, Summit Co-Chair
INNOVATION IN AN ERA OF GEOPOLITICAL COMPLEXITY
Professor Dong Sun outlined how Hong Kong is positioning itself as an international innovation and technology hub at the centre of the Greater Bay Area, connecting global capital and research with the manufacturing and technology capabilities of Shenzhen and the wider Chinese mainland.
He identified opportunities for New Zealand businesses, universities and research institutes across artificial intelligence, biotechnology, smart cities, fintech, advanced manufacturing and green technology.
Professor Dong Sun, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government
Moderator: Simon Bridges, Summit Co-Chair
NAVIGATING GREAT POWER COMPETITION
As China and the United States reshape the global strategic landscape, this session examined what intensifying great-power competition means for New Zealand and Australian businesses.
James Laurenceson and Sam Sachdeva explored the commercial implications of tensions surrounding Taiwan, the South China Sea, tariffs, sanctions, trade coercion and weaponised interdependence, identifying the real risks and opportunities facing businesses in the Indo-Pacific.
- Professor James Laurenceson, Director, Australia-China Relations Institute, University of Technology Sydney
- Sam Sachdeva, Associate Editor, Newsroom NZ, and author of The China Tightrope
Moderator: Suzannah Jessep, CEO, Asia New Zealand Foundation
CHINA POWERS UP: GREENTECH AND AI
Industry leaders discussed how China’s leadership in clean technology and artificial intelligence is increasingly visible across New Zealand — from electric vehicles and solar panels to wind energy and cloud-based AI tools.
The panel considered what growing adoption means for local businesses and infrastructure, and where the next opportunities may emerge.
- Warren Willmot, General Manager, BYD Auto
- Meili Lin, Managing Director, Astronergy Solar Australia
- Kevin Hart, CEO, New Zealand Wind Energy Association
- Andy Shi, Country Manager, Alibaba Cloud Australia & New Zealand
Moderator: Felicity Roxburgh, Executive Director, New Zealand International Business Forum
STRATEGY DEEP DIVE
New Zealand business leaders shared practical insights from operating on the ground in one of the world’s largest and fastest-changing consumer markets.
The session opened with findings from the latest New Zealand Business Roundtable in China survey before exploring how Two Islands, Rockit Global and Unipharm are adapting their brands, products and market strategies for China.
- Steve Jones, New Zealand Trade Commissioner in Shanghai, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
- Nicholas Calder, Executive Director, New Zealand Business Roundtable in China
- Julia Matthews, Founder, Two Islands
- Grant McBeath, CEO, Rockit Global
- Martin Bremner, VP APAC, Unipharm
Session led and moderated by Steve Jones
INVESTMENT PANEL
John Chow and Michael Fox discussed the role of relationships, trusted brands and bricks-and-mortar investment in building successful commercial connections between New Zealand and China.
- John Chow, Co-Founder, Stonewood Group
- Michael Fox, Head of Global Public Affairs, Zespri
Moderator: Simon Bridges, Summit Co-Chair
NEXT STEPS
Senior political, civic and business leaders considered the next chapter of the New Zealand–China relationship across tourism, aviation, trade and wider economic engagement.
The panel explored what New Zealand must do to attract Chinese visitors, strengthen Auckland’s role as an international gateway and make the most of future opportunities with its largest trading partner.
- Hon Louise Upston, Minister of Tourism
- Hon Damien O’Connor, Labour trade spokesperson and former Trade Minister
- Mayor Wayne Brown, Mayor of Auckland
- Lisa Li, CEO, China Travel Service
Moderator: Tim McCready, Summit MC
SUMMIT SUMMARY
Alistair Crozier and Simon Bridges reflected on the major themes to emerge from the China Business Summit 2026, including trade resilience, geopolitical competition, innovation, investment and the future of the New Zealand–China relationship.
- Alistair Crozier, Executive Director, New Zealand China Council
- Simon Bridges, Summit Co-Chair and CEO, Auckland Business Chamber
PRIZE DRAW AND SUMMIT CLOSE
The 12th China Business Summit concluded with closing remarks and a prize draw courtesy of Air New Zealand, Silver Fern Farms and BYD.
- Shaughan Woodcock, Event Director, Auckland Business Chamber
- Sam Winstanley, Corporate, Government & SME Sales Lead, Air New Zealand
- Tim McCready, Summit MC