New Zealand’s China Policy

July 14 2015

The Australia-China Relations Institute (ACRI) is proud to announce the launch of New Zealand’s China Policy: Building a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, a policy paper written by the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre at Victoria University of Wellington. This is the first comprehensive account of a diplomatic success story: the relationship between New Zealand and China in trade, investment and foreign policy.

New Zealand runs a successful China policy, putting its national interests before the comfort of “likeminded” positions and moving quickly and independently to conclude agreements with China with big benefits. It was the first to sign a high-quality, comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with China and the first to recognise China as a market economy.

Does New Zealand market itself harder and smarter than Australia? How have they set themselves up to meet China’s demand for food security and appetite for services exports? How does New Zealand handle Chinese investment and in particular, investment in land and agriculture? How big is New Zealand’s China relationship in the country’s prospects?

Tony Browne, Executive Chairman of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre's Advisory Board, and his colleagues discussed these questions on on a panel moderated by ACRI Director Bob Carr.

Tony Browne was New Zealand’s Ambassador to China 2004-2009. He was previously Director of the North Asia Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Director of the New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei.

Download a copy of New Zealand’s China Policy: Building a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.