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| No.2 April, 2012 |
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New Zealand welcomes Hong Kong Chief Executive |
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 Early April saw Hong Kong Chief Executive, Mr Donald Tsang, and wife Mrs Selena Tsang, visit New Zealand as official guests of the New Zealand Government.
Mr Tsang was officially welcomed at the Orakei Marae with a moving traditional Maori ceremony and greeted by Dr Pita Sharples, New Zealand Minister for Maori Affairs.
The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office's Head of Public Relations for Australia and New Zealand, Ilona Cipe, said "the ceremony was a truly beautiful event and a unique experience to welcome Hong Kong's Chief Executive to New Zealand - he seemed very touched."
Mr Tsang's visit also included visits to local innovative Kiwi companies to get a feel for New Zealand enterprise with the New Zealand Government taking the opportunity to showcase local talent, skills and expertise organising a busy and diverse schedule of activities and meetings.
 The Chief Executive paid a visit to Hamilton's Zealong Green Tea Estate, and world-renowned Cambridge Stud, before visiting the facilities of Auckland's food bowl, an innovative food testing plant which offers access to technical expertise and batch testing for business wanting to trial new food and beverage products.
Throughout the visit, Mr Tsang met with New Zealand Ministers including the Hon Murray McCully, Minister for Foreign Affairs; the Hon Tim Groser, Minister for Trade; Dr The Rt Hon Lockwood Smith, Speaker for the House of Representatives; and Auckland Cr Penny Hulse, as well as several senior government officials, to discuss bilateral trade issues, promote Hong Kong's advantage as China's global financial centre and to oversee progress of the Closer Economic Partnership.
 The Chief Executive concluded his visit with a packed business luncheon hosted by the Hong Kong New Zealand Business Association, the Employers and Manufacturers Association and Export New Zealand where he was the guest of honor and provided the key-note speech.
"Our relationship with New Zealand is a long and fruitful one. It is based on our shared values of openness and fair play and on our mutual friendship and commitment to progress," noted Mr Tsang at the luncheon.
 "Similar to our friends here in Auckland, we Hong Kongers cherish our unique culture, which is a fascinating blend of East and West. We are also not afraid of rolling up our sleeves and getting down to the basics of sheer hard work."
His visit also paves the way for the upcoming roadshow of Hong Kong business leaders touring New Zealand to talk with Maori exporters and companies about trading with Hong Kong and mainland China starting in May.
Hong Kong is New Zealand's 12th largest export partner and signed the Closer Economic Partnership Agreement in March 2010, Hong Kong's first Free Trade Agreement with an overseas economy.
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