2017 Winners

Zespri Group Limited has been named the supreme winner at the 2017 HSBC NZCTA New Zealand China Business Awards.

Former Prime Minister the Rt. Hon John Key was also recognised, winning the award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand China relationship.

New Zealand China Trade Association Chairman Martin Thomson says Zespri has demonstrated strong success in the China market despite the impact of PSA on the industry.

“Zespri’s story is one of strong sales growth and a growing presence in China, all of which has been achieved despite recent setbacks.”   

Mr Thomson says John Key’s award recognises the strong connections he established at the highest levels of the Chinese government.

“The closeness and personal relationships he built underpinned the rapid growth in the relationship during his tenure as Prime Minister.  Mr Key understood the importance of China to New Zealand’s economic future and ensured the country remained focussed on maximising the opportunities,” Mr Thomson says.  

A new award for e-commerce and exports underscores the huge shift of Chinese consumers toward online technology for researching and buying New Zealand products.

“China has become the most online savvy market in the world.  Using the web as a route into the marketplace is becoming critical for exporters and we want to champion companies doing that well,” Mr Thomson says.  

China is New Zealand’s second largest trading partner after Australia.  New Zealand exported $12.1b worth of goods and services to China in the year to June 2016.  Chinese investment in New Zealand totalled $5.45b in the year to March 2016.  

Full list of winners

Auckland Airport Award for Contribution to the growth of Chinese Tourism in New Zealand  
China Travel Service (NZ) Ltd

DLA Piper Award for Investment between China and New Zealand  
Waste Management NZ Limited

New Zealand Trade & Enterprise Excellence in Export or Import  
Zespri Group Limited

Cathay Pacific Award for Best use of eCommerce in exporting to China
Aladdin 2015 International Limited

New Zealand China Council Award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand - China Business relationship  
Rt. Hon John Key

HKNZBA Award – Success in Hong Kong by a New Zealand organisation
Gallagher Security (International) Limited

Special Recognition Award
Professor Yihuai Gao (Alpha Group Holdings Ltd)

Supreme Winner
Zespri Group Limited