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CHINA DELEGATIONGuizhou Minzu University of Nationalities.with the Chinese DragonIn business, timing is everything. Soon afterthe dawn of the auspicious Year of theWater Dragon, leaders from New Zealand’sTaniwha Economy landed in Beijing for twoweeks of meetings with leaders from China’sDragon Economy.Successful companies representing NewZealand’s $37-billion-plus Mäori economytook part in the trade mission to China andHong Kong that was led by Mäori AffairsMinister Hon Dr Pita Sharples. The delegationwas part of a long-term China strategysupported by Te Puni Kökiri and aligned withthe Government’s wider NZ Inc activities.Asia’s Dragon economies are fast becomingthe centre of gravity of the global economywith China indisputably at the helm. DrSharples says strengthening cultural andeconomic bonds and forging new ones withChina is a priority.“Our peoples share a common Asia Pacificoutlook on life: relationships aren’t bought:they are grown over time. Relationshipsare only as strong as the people withinthem and in recent years we have seenMäori connections with the people of Chinablossom,” says Dr Sharples.During the trip somemembers signedcommercial deals whileothers are set to formaliseagreements later thisyear. The warmth ofthe welcome wasunmistakeable, especiallywith the delegation beinginvited to meet with VicePremier Hui Liangyu insideZhongnanhai, the inner sanctum of Beijing’sCommunist Party - sectors usually offlimitsto outsiders.Citing New Zealand’s 100% Pure brand asone Mäori have held for generations, DrSharples said Mäori are successful businesspeople with a dynamic economy linkingthem eternally to Aotearoa. It was a storythe delegation was able to tell and one theirhosts identified with.“The Taniwha Economy is primarily aboutgenerations of people, including those whohave gone before us and those yet to beborn: this is what long term investmentmeans for Mäori.”“This is not the first time the TaniwhaEconomy has bonded with the ChineseDragon: and it won’t be the last,” saidDr Sharples.14TE PUNI KÖ KIRI | KÖ KIRI | KÖ ANGA / SPRING 2012