China country profile
How do New Zealanders view China?
The China country profile is based on our latest New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples report. The survey was carried out in January and February 2026. Supplementary data relating to travel is from Stats NZ.
Leadership Network members Peter MacKenzie and Sarah Novak in Xi'an as part of the network's China Hui
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.
How important is China to New Zealand’s future?
New Zealanders see China as the most important country in Asia to New Zealand’s future, with 81 percent saying it is important or very important. Over half of New Zealanders (51 percent) say China is very important to New Zealand’s future.
China's importance to New Zealand's future
Q: How important do you think China is to New Zealand’s future?
Perceptions of Asia 2026
Why do New Zealanders see China as important?
Trade, including China’s status as both as an export market for New Zealand products and an exporter of goods New Zealanders rely on, as well as China’s economy more generally are the leading reasons why New Zealanders view China as important.
“[China is important because of its] massive population, [being the] world’s largest producer of cheap consumer goods, [and its] political power and influence around the globe.”
Female, 50–59 years, New Zealand European and Māori, Auckland
China's important to New Zealand's future
Q: Why do you view China as important to New Zealand’s future?
Perceptions of Asia 2026
How much trust do New Zealanders have in China to act responsibly in the world?
Almost one in five (19 percent) of New Zealanders express at least high trust in China to act responsibly in the world, while 39 percent say they have low or very low trust. Over a third (33 percent) say they have ‘neutral’ trust in China.
New Zealanders' trust in China
Q: How much trust do you have in China to act responsibly in the world?
Perceptions of Asia 2026
Friend and threat perceptions
New Zealanders’ sentiment towards China has warmed in recent years. In 2026, 43 percent of New Zealanders identify China as a friend or close friend to New Zealand.
Twenty-three percent of New Zealanders say China is a threat or major threat to New Zealand.
Defence and security
Thirty-five percent of New Zealanders identify China as one of the most important defence and security partners in Asia for New Zealand to work with, making it third equal with South Korea after Japan and Singapore.
Most important security and defence partners
Q: In terms of New Zealand’s defence and security, which Asian countries are New Zealand’s most important partners to work with?
Perceptions of Asia 2026
How much do New Zealanders know about North Asia?
North Asia is the Asian sub-region New Zealanders are most familiar with. Over half of New Zealanders (54 percent) feel they know at least a fair amount about it.
New Zealanders’ travel to China
China was New Zealanders’ fourth most visited country in Asia
New Zealanders made a total of 771,196 return trips to Asia in the year to January 2026, a 14 percent increase over the year before.
China was New Zealanders’ most visited country in Asia ahead of India, Indonesia and japan. New Zealanders made a total of 176,494 return trips to mainland China, an increase of almost 20 percent from the previous year.
One in five (20 percent) of New Zealanders 35-years and under say they would most like to do an OE in Asia. Of these, eight percent say they would most like to go to China, making it second equal with South Korea after Japan.
New Zealanders pointed to China’s rich and ancient cultural history as well as its advanced technology and infrastructure as their reasons for selecting China.
“I’m most drawn to China for an overseas living and working experience for its unmatched blend of rich ancient culture and cutting-edge modern development.”
Entertainment consumption
A third of New Zealanders (34 percent) consume entertainment made in or relating to Asia at least monthly, with 17 percent doing so at least weekly.
New Zealanders were asked where in Asia produces the entertainment they enjoy the most. China is the third most frequently mentioned source, with 21 percent selecting it as the place in Asia that produces the entertainment they enjoy the most.
Download the full Perceptions of Asia 2025 report
pdf, 8.36 MB
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.
