New Zealand China Council Podcast

How are Kiwi companies faring in China? How has trade been tracking over this unprecedented period? In this podcast, you will hear on the ground insights from NZTE Regional Director for Greater China, Fiona Acheson. Fiona provides an update on recent big events in the China trade calendar (including the China International Import Expo, and Singles’ Day), notes key trends (including China’s rapidly...

Pakuranga, an eastern suburb in Auckland, is probably not the first place you’d expect to find a disruptive technology business. This is, however, exactly where you find HMI Technology’s bustling head office. HMI’s autonomous vehicle Ohmio is designed in NZ, manufactured in China, and exported to a range of international markets. In this podcast, you will hear HMI’s founder and Executive Chairman...

In part two of our conversation with Anna, you will hear how the ZURU team responded when Covid-19 first hit, maintaining supply chains and dealing with considerable uncertainty. Anna also shares how during New Zealand’s Level 4 lock-down, she worked with her team to secure high quality PPE in competition with countries across the globe.

Anna Mowbray is the co-owner and COO of ZURU toys, the eighth largest privately owned toy company in the world. ZURU is well-known for its disruptive and innovative approach to the industry. The company has now diversified into FMCG developing brands across a range of categories. In part one of a two part series, Anna shares ZURU’s China journey – from starting out in small premises in Guangzhou,...

The North Asia CAPE recently hosted a Post-Covid live panel: New Zealand’s mahi in the region. The discussion was moderated by North Asia CAPE Director Professor Paul Clark, and featured economist and commentator Shamubeel Eaqub; former New Zealand Ambassador to China John McKinnon and University of Auckland Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Strategic Engagement) Professor Jenny Dixon. Thanks to the CAPE fo...

This week is New Zealand Chinese Language Week, and we were delighted to interview Professor Martin East from the School of Cultures, Languages and Linguistics and Dr Danping Wang, a lecturer in Chinese from the University of Auckland. Professor East is also the author of the NZCC’s report on teaching languages in schools, commissioned in 2018. In this podcast, you will hear a discussion on how ma...

Sir Richard Taylor is the co-founder of the world renowned WETA Workshop. His credits to date include five Oscars, four BAFTAs and a raft of other international entertainment awards. Sir Richard has a long history of working with China, which extends from model making, to film and TV productions, to designing major location based experiences. In this podcast, you will hear about Sir Richard’s fasc...

International education is NZ’s 5th largest export earner, contributing almost $5b to our economy and supporting more than 45,000 jobs. Closing our borders has required our education institutions to adapt to unique circumstances. We recently discussed the impact of Covid-19 on international education with Professor Jenny Dixon, Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of strategic engagement at the Univer...

The Government recently updated New Zealand’s overseas investment regime. The amendments are designed to balance the important role overseas investment will play as businesses look to recover and grow, while ensuring greater protection of New Zealand’s interests. This podcast updates listeners on the amendments; and discusses the current status of inbound investment, implications of the national i...

In order to obtain greater understanding of New Zealand’s trade with China, and articulate the risks and opportunities this presents, the New Zealand China Council commissioned an independent report: “How many eggs, in how many baskets? An update on NZ-China Trade Patterns”, authored by John Ballingall from Sense Partners. At the launch of the report, Fran O’Sullivan moderated a panel discussion f...

Zespri is one of New Zealand’s few truly international brands. In this podcast, find out how Zespri grew its China market from a mere two percent, to over 20 percent of its global sales, on its way to becoming Zespri’s first billion dollar market. Zespri’s China journey hasn’t been smooth sailing, however, and in this podcast, Zespri Chair Bruce Cameron discusses Zespri’s missteps, how they built...