Auckland, July 18, 2025, The China Business Summit 2025, hosted by NZINC. and the Auckland Business Chamber, convened senior policymakers, business leaders and strategic thinkers from government, industry, and academia to explore New Zealand-China relations. Discussions focused on China’s economic outlook, bilateral trade and investment, supply chain diversification, and the evolving challenges of geopolitics. Source
Key Highlights
Trade Resilience and Export Figures
- In the year to December 2024, New Zealand exported nearly NZ$18 billion in goods to China, almost double the combined total of its next two largest export markets. Services exports added another NZ$3.1 billion. China was also New Zealand’s largest source of imports, worth NZ$16.8 billion. These figures underscore China’s continued importance in New Zealand’s trade portfolio. Source
Navigating Business in a Shifting Geopolitical Environment
- With global tensions, trade disruptions, and national security concerns rising, New Zealand businesses were urged to both seize opportunities in the China market and develop strategies to manage risk. Source
- Sessions addressed how exporting companies are adapting supply chains, positioning brands, and innovating amidst economic headwinds. Source
Policy, Strategy & Innovation from Leadership
- Prime Minister Christopher Luxon opened the Summit with reflections on his inaugural business mission to China, signalling government intent to balance risk with opportunity in the bilateral relationship. Source
- Keynotes by business leaders, such as Dame Therese Walsh, and innovators like Nick Mowbray (Zuru Tech) illuminated how New Zealand is pushing into innovation, automation, and “Made in China”-style ventures. Source
Soft Power, Perception & Cultural Ties
- The Summit programme included discussions on perception research, tourism, education recovery, people-to-people ties and how language, cultural exchange, and storytelling factor into commercial relationships with China. Source
What This Means for New Zealand
The Summit reinforced that while there are rising challenges — geopolitical pressure, supply chain disturbances, shifting economic conditions — China remains a central economic partner for New Zealand. The event highlighted the need for strategic agility: balancing diversification with engagement, innovating from within, and maintaining strong diplomatic, cultural and business linkages.
Final Thoughts
China Business Summit 2025 delivered more than forecasts and statistics; it offered a forum for alignment between government policy and business strategy in one of New Zealand’s most critical external relationships. As New Zealand navigates global uncertainty, this Summit may be remembered as a moment when clarity, collaboration and adaptation were made front and centre. Source
