Speech
NZ Alumni and KEA members luncheon
On this piece of New Zealand may I begin by greeting everyone in the languages of the realm of New Zealand, in English, Maori, Cook Island Maori, Niuean, Tokelauan and New Zealand Sign Language. Greetings, Kia Ora, Kia Orana, Fakalofa Lahi Atu, Taloha Ni and as the sun is high in the sky (Sign)
May I specifically greet you: Your Excellency Tony Browne, New Zealand's Ambassador to China; KEA representative, Sharon Fraser; Distinguished Guests otherwise; Ladies and Gentlemen. And in the context of this gathering, may I add the greeting: Ni Hao.
My wife Susan and I thank you for the invitation to attend this lunch with New Zealand alumni and KEA members. In particular, may I thank you, Ambassador Browne and your wife Susan, for making the New Zealand Residence available for this luncheon.
I would like to take a brief opportunity to speak of New Zealand's relationship with the People's Republic of China and the role that the education sector, and particularly yourselves as alumni of New Zealand educational institutions, have to play.
Last year, in 2007, New Zealand and China celebrated the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The first visit by a New Zealand Prime Minister, the late Sir Robert Muldoon, was in 1976 and from then to Prime Minister Helen Clark's most recent visit in 2008 for the signing of the FTA, there have been regular Heads of Government visits to China.
In addition, there have been a great many ministerial visits—the most recent being the visit Deputy Prime Minister Hon Dr Michael Cullen in September last year, Foreign Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters two months later, and of course when Hon Phil Goff and the Hon Chris Carter were here to sign the FTA in April. Such visits demonstrate the importance that New Zealand has placed on maintaining close ties with China throughout these 35 years.
And just as importantly, there has been a similar commitment on the Chinese side, with a number of China's principal leaders visiting in recent years: President HE Hu Jintao, in 2003, National People's Congress Chairman Wu Bangguo in 2005, and Premier Wen Jiabao, in 2006.
While this high-level contact is undoubtedly important, I would also like to acknowledge the significant contributions that have been made by other groups and people dedicated to strengthening ties between our two countries.
For one immediate example, Chinese migrants have been making the journey to New Zealand since the 1860s and have made a major contribution in almost all walks of our country's life. New Zealanders of Chinese descent—who now number about 150,000—are prominent in politics, business, the professions and our wider society. Their contribution to the country and to the relationship with China is valued deeply.
New Zealanders of the past like writer, poet and educator, Rewi Alley, and Missionary Nurse, Kathleen Hall, began to forge relationships in China that have reflected very positively upon New Zealand. Many others, including David Mahon, Vic Percival and Richard Yan have since worked in China (and on the relationship). Indeed, the magnitude of the New Zealand presence in here has increased so significantly in recent years that, I am told, the Embassy estimates there are about 6,000 New Zealanders living in China.
As the model of leadership in the New Zealand-China leadership has changed, New Zealanders such as Dr Manying Ip and Dr James Ng and Jennifer King have played significant roles. New Zealanders of Chinese descent, such as Meng Foon and Peter Chin, are now the Mayors of Gisborne and Dunedin respectively, while Pansy Wong serves as a member of Parliament. In other spheres, Mai Chen is a member of the Securities Commission whilst Jonathan Ling is the chief executive of one of New Zealand's largest public construction companies, FletcherBuilding.
There are many organisations, both within the Chinese New Zealander community and beyond, that have worked hard to promote relations between China and New Zealand. The Asia New Zealand Foundation is a notable example. The New Zealand-China Friendship Association, likewise, has a long history in this respect. Together with the work achieved by organisations such as Sister CitiesNew Zealand, the New Zealand Chinese Association, and the Wellington Xiamen Association, enduring links have been made and are continuing. Indeed, many Chinese New Zealanders, who had played a key role in the FTA development, were present in strength at the signing ceremony.
Within the business sphere, specifically, many groups and individuals have helped forge connections, and opportunities for, New Zealand and Chinese businesses. The New Zealand-China Trade Association is the longest standing such group and continues to play a valuable role whilst the China and New Zealand Business Council, formed in 2006, is the first Wellington-based association.
The relationship is at an exciting stage, with both countries agreeing upon a high-quality, comprehensive and balanced free trade agreement. As China's first FTA with a developed country, it is a highly significant 'first' for New Zealand and it was with pleasure that I signed the legislation regarding the agreement into New Zealand law some two weeks ago and soon thereafter regulations to do with duties and tariffs.
The agreement will create the foundation for real gains in bilateral trade. Yet to make the most of those possibilities, businesses in both countries will need to be able to call on expert assistance when required. Alongside government, the business associations I have mentioned will be vital in providing the capacity to make the most of the new opportunities.
Thirty-five years ago, I am told, trade volumes between New Zealand and China were just $7 million—today they are over 1,000 times that level, and still growing in both directions.
A key part of that relationship has been the education sector. I am advised that China is the largest source of international students studying in New Zealand. From a peak of more than 50,000 Chinese students in 2003, the numbers have stabilised and now number about 25,000 a year.
Even so, the number of Chinese students who have studied in New Zealand since the year 2000 is estimated at more than 300,000—a figure that exceeds the population of Wellington city.
Obviously, those students, including many here today, made a significant contribution to the New Zealand economy. But more than that was involved. Many filled skills gaps in the New Zealand labour market and, at the postgraduate level, assisted with research and development in New Zealand universities.
Some students liked New Zealand so much, that they have stayed on. Research by Education New Zealand and the Department of Labour has found that about a third of Chinese international students stay on, with the majority gaining residence through the skilled/business immigration category. These highly educated people have themselves created new business linkages between New Zealand and China.
But most of all, Chinese students have brought to New Zealand their cultures, languages and perspectives and helped New Zealand students, teachers, lecturers and the wider public gain a greater understanding of a culture that is so profoundly different to their own. Many friendships have been formed, many research, learning and business connections have been established and, most importantly, the ties between New Zealand and China have been strengthened. It was that ground work, and the effort of so many people—including a number here today—that brought the FTA to fruition and I thank you all for the role you have played.
Organisations such as KEA and the New Zealand Alumni Network are also important in ensuring that those relationships remain strong and vibrant and that you retain a connection, both to your alma mater and to New Zealand. The combination of Chinese alumni and the significant New Zealand diaspora now resident in China bodes well for both countries fully exploiting the FTA when it comes into force on 1 October.
With the Olympic Games now in full swing, the eyes of the world are on China and Beijing. One cannot help but note China's dramatic economic development and the amazing facilities it has constructed for the Games.
For those of you holding a Chinese passport, I trust that the memories you hold of your time in New Zealand are such that, while you will always cheer the Chinese athletes on, that if you see a New Zealander competing, you will call out "Kiwi" as well!
And on that note, I will close in New Zealand's first language, Maori, by offering greetings and wishing you good health and fortitude in your endeavours. No reira, tena koutou, tena koutou, kia ora, kia kaha, tena koutou katoa.