China country profile
In this country profile, we look at the latest New Zealanders' Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples research to gain an understanding of how New Zealanders feel about China. New Zealand’s relationship with China is one of its most significant, and one of its longest. The first migrant from China to New Zealand is thought to have arrived in the early 1840s, with the first large-scale arrival of Chinese migrants to New Zealand taking place two decades later. Today, Chinese New Zealanders make up the fourth largest ethnic group in the country. Since the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement was signed in 2008, China has become New Zealand’s largest trading partner. China is also New Zealand’s top source of international students
Importance to New Zealand’s future:
China is seen as the most important country in Asia to New Zealand’s future.
Defence and security relations:
New Zealanders consider China to be the fourth most important Asian partner to work with when it comes to security and defence.
“ China will be the next global superpower and is the strongest nation and largest trading partner in our region.”
60-69 years, male, European, Wellington
Influence over New Zealand
New Zealanders believe that China is the Asian country with the most influence over New Zealand currently, with Japan coming in a distant second. China is expected to
still be the most influential in 10-to-20 years’ time, however India is expected to overtake Japan as the second most influential.
Friend or threat?
Sentiment towards China is mixed, but slightly more New Zealanders see it as a friend than a threat:
• 33 percent of New Zealanders regard China as a friend,
with six percent considering it a close friend.
• 32 percent see it as a threat, with eight percent viewing
it as a major threat.
Trust in major powers to act responsibly
We asked New Zealanders how much trust they have in key world and regional powers to act responsibly in the world:
12 percent of New Zealanders express high or very high trust in China to act responsibly in the world.
50 percent express low or very low trust levels.
Travel
• When it comes to which countries in Asia New
Zealanders feel they know best, China ranks second,
with 20 percent of respondents naming it as the place
in Asia they know the most about.
• Friends, family, self-study and university are key
sources of information for those who are most familiar
with China.
• China also ranks second when it comes to which
countries New Zealanders most want to learn more
about, with its status as an economic powerhouse being
a key drawcard.
“I’d like to see where my ancestors came from.”
50-59 years, female, European and Chinese, Wellington
Knowledge and interest
- When it comes to which countries in Asia New Zealanders feel they know best, China ranks second, with 20 percent of respondents naming it as the place in Asia they know the most about.
- Friends, family, self-study and university are key sources of information for those who are most familiar with China.
- China also ranks second when it comes to which countries New Zealanders most want to learn more about, with its status as an economic powerhouse being a key drawcard.
The Foundation's Research Programme commissions studies that support informed public conversations about New Zealand’s relationship with Asia. We also support the next generation of scholars through our Foundation Research Grants.
Our Asia in Focus programme provides expert analysis on on Asia and New Zealand-Asia relations.
