China country profile
How do New Zealanders view China?
This country profile is based on our latest New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples report. The results of the survey give a unique glimpse into the importance of China to New Zealanders. Perceptions of Asia presents the results from a survey of 2,300 New Zealanders, providing a unique glimpse into the importance of Asia to New Zealanders.
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.
Importance to New Zealand’s future:
Eighty-three percent of New Zealanders see China as important to New Zealand’s future, making it the most important country in Asia, ahead of Japan and India. China’s perceived importance has increased six percent in the past year.
China's importance to New Zealand's future
Q: How important do you think China is to New Zealand’s future?
Perceptions of Asia 2025
Friend or threat
Views are mixed on whether China is a friend or a threat to New Zealand. In November 2024, 38 percent of New Zealanders viewed China as a friend and 28 percent saw it as a threat.
In a March 2025 mini-poll, following naval military exercises in the Tasman Sea, threat perceptions had shifted again, with 21 percent seeing China as a friend and 41 percent a threat.
Friend and threat perceptions
Q: Do you view China as a close friend, friend, threat or major threat?
Perceptions of Asia 2025
Trust in China remains low
Fourteen percent of New Zealanders have high trust in China to act responsibly in the world.
Friend or threat perceptions of China 2018-2024
Q: Do you view China as a close friend, friend, threat or major threat? (Y axis = percentage of respondents)
Perceptions of Asia 2025
Why do New Zealanders see China as a friend?
Strong trade ties are the main reason for New Zealanders seeing China as a friend.
Fifty-two percent 52 percent of New Zealanders think New Zealand should invest extra effort in its relationship with China. Trade and economic opportunities are the leading reason for wanting to strengthen ties, followed by China’s status as a world power.
“We have a lot of Chinese immigrants which makes for a more enriched, cultured community.”
Female, 20–24 years, other European, Auckland
“(China) is one of our major trading partners and we accept immigration and tourism from them.”
Male, 40–49 years, New Zealand European, Hawke’s Bay
Manadrin as a second language
Thirty percent of New Zealanders would like to learn Mandarin if they had the opportunity to learn an Asian language.
Download the China country profile
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Download the full Perceptions of Asia 2025 report
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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.
