On February 14, New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Ambassador Wang Xiaolong attended the opening ceremony of the Chinese New Year Festival and Market Day in Auckland. Mr Chen Shijie, Chinese Consul General in Auckland, Hon Carmel Sepuloni, Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, Ms. Desley Simpson, Deputy Mayor of Auckland, several Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, and local community leaders attended the event.

Photo by Vicky Lu

Ambassador Wang extended his warmest New Year greetings and best wishes for the Year of the Horse to the Chinese community in New Zealand and friends from all sectors. He noted that the successful completion of the 14th Five-Year Plan has brought steady growth in economic strength, comprehensive national power, and international influence and China will move forward with renewed momentum in the Year of the Horse and embark on the implementation of the 15th Five-Year Plan. He emphasized that as China takes confident and steady steps toward the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, China’s sustained development will continue to generate new opportunities for countries around the world, including New Zealand.

Photo by Vicky Lu

Ambassador Wang stated that over the past year, high-level exchanges between China and New Zealand have remained close and productive, highlighted by the successful visit of Prime Minister Luxon to China and the visit to New Zealand by Chairman Zhao Leji of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress. Practical cooperation between the two countries has yielded tangible results, including the signing of the Cook Strait ferry agreement and the launch of the Southern Link initiative. Bilateral trade has reached a new historic high in 2025. Meanwhile, people-to-people and cultural exchanges have continued to deepen. Visa-free entry and other facilitation measures have significantly boosted two-way travel, while cooperation in education and tourism has maintained strong momentum. He stressed that China stands ready to work with New Zealand as a friend and a partner to create favourable conditions for sustaining the hard-earned positive momentum in bilateral relations and achieving new and greater progress in this era of profound change. Through joint efforts, the two sides can and will contribute to the well-being of the peoples, as well as to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

Ambassador Wang commended the Chinese community for their unique and constructive role in promoting friendship between China and New Zealand, encouraged the Chinese community in New Zealand to abide by local laws and regulations, respect local customs, actively integrate into the mainstream society, and contribute to New Zealand’s economic and social development. He expressed the belief that governments at all levels in New Zealand will continue to respect and protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Chinese community, and foster an open, inclusive, and non-discriminatory environment for them to work, study, and live.

Photo by Vicky Lu

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon praised the Chinese community for celebrating the fantastic Chinese culture and sharing it openly with the rest of New Zealand and the wider community. He noted that the wisdom, and forward momentum represented by the Year of the Horse resonate strongly with the New Zealand spirit of looking to the future. He expressed gratitude to the Chinese community for their hard work and vital contributions to New Zealand’s cultural, social and economic life.

Hon Carmel Sepuloni thanked the Chinese community for the many ways in which they help take New Zealand forward and expressed her commitment to engaging with the Chinese communities and exploring how they can be empowered to feel a strong sense of belonging.

Photo by Vicky Lu

Deputy Mayor of Auckland Desley Simpson stated that Auckland remains the absolute key heart of the Chinese community in New Zealand and that this event unified the whole Auckland region to come together and enjoy Chinese traditions and culture and extended her sincere greetings to the Chinese community in New Zealand.

The Chinese Embassy and the Consulate-General in Auckland set up joint stalls, presenting the achievements of China–New Zealand relations and mutually beneficial cooperation in a multi-dimensional way through text, images, and videos, while also providing consular services and information on studying in China. The exhibition attracted a continuous flow of visitors, who actively engaged in interactions, creating a lively and enthusiastic atmosphere.

Photo by Zhu Linlin