Ambassador Wang Xiaolong Attends 30th Anniversary of Xilong Tea Garden Company (New Zealand)

Summary

On 1 July 2026, Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong attended the 30th anniversary celebration of Xilong Tea Garden Company (New Zealand), the only company in New Zealand to scale up tea cultivation and processing. Its organically certified products have entered premium international markets including Germany, the UK, the US, Japan and China. In his speech, New Zealand Minister for Trade, Investment and Agriculture Todd McClay said that amid global uncertainty, the China-New Zealand economic and trade relationship is one of New Zealand's most important external relationships.

Since the signing of the free trade agreement, bilateral trade has grown from about NZD 3 billion to NZD 43 billion this year, with New Zealand exports to China reaching NZD 23 billion. McClay noted that Xilong Tea Garden's success proves that New Zealand companies can also export tea to China. More than 100 people attended the event, including central and local government officials, foreign ambassadors to New Zealand and business partners.

Commentary

This news sends a clear signal to you, New Zealand's small and medium business owners: Sino-New Zealand trade is accelerating, and there is a replicable path to success for high-end speciality agricultural products. Xilong Tea Garden has entered the Chinese market and others through organic certification, showing that Chinese consumers have strong demand for high-quality foods with a story. If your business involves food, beverages or health products, consider organic certification and brand storytelling to achieve higher margins.

On the other hand, Minister McClay's reference to an 'uncertain world' reminds you not to rely too heavily on a single market. Although exports to China are growing strongly, factors such as geopolitical volatility and changing logistics costs still need to be managed. It is advisable to diversify into multiple channels, such as Southeast Asia or Europe.

For non-food industries, improved trade facilitation may lower your import costs, but competition will also intensify. In conclusion: leverage the tariff advantages of the China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, but differentiate through organic certification and traceability to fend off imitators, and stay alert to policy risks.

Keywords: China-New Zealand trade, Xilong Tea Garden, Wang Xiaolong, Todd McClay, organic tea, NZD 43 billion, free trade agreement, exports, premium market, New Zealand tea

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs