On 28 August, The Chinese Embassy in New Zealand hosted the 2026 Reception for New Zealanders with Academic or Study-Related Experiences in China at the Wellington campus of Massey University. More than 100 guests attended the event, including Minister Counsellor Zhang Xinyu, Counsellor Tang Jun, General Manager of Ministry of Education of New Zealand Ms. Katrina Sutich, Vice Chancellor of Massey University Prof. Pierre Venter, former New Zealand Ambassadors to China Ms. Clare Fearnley and Mr. Tony Browne, as well as representatives of New Zealanders with Academic or Study-Related Experiences in China.

Speaking on behalf of Ambassador Wang Xiaolong, Counsellor Tang remarked that the China-New Zealand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has continued to maintain steady momentum, deeply rooted in the trust and friendship between our two peoples. She noted that New Zealander alumni are practitioners and promoters of China‑New Zealand friendship. General Manager Ms. Sutich pointed out that China continues to be New Zealand’s largest cohort of international students and also remains a top destination for New Zealand students choosing to study abroad. In recent years, high‑level educational exchanges between the two countries have been frequent, and both sides will keep advancing the mutually‑beneficial educational partnership. Vice‑Chancellor Prof. Venter said Massey University has established extensive cooperation in education and research with a number of Chinese universities, and expressed the hope of further deepening educational ties with China with support from the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand

During the event, alumni representatives shared their experiences in China and presented wonderful talent performances.