Chinese Consulate Visit
Last week Council hosted a very senior visit by the Consul-General of the People's Republic of China in Auckland, plus three other senior members of his staff (representing education, commerce, local government and overseas Chinese) and the Managing Directors of COSCO NZ (China Shipping), China Travel Services, Southern China Airways and Yashili NZ.
"This high-powered group have a strong business orientated focus on investment opportunities in our district," said Mayor Neil Sinclair. "We have developed our relationship with the Chinese Consul-General over the past few years, cemented more recently in my visit to Auckland (along with Council Chief Executive Craig Hobbs). The potential to open up many doors with Chinese businesses and investors in the future to the benefit of the South Waikato is important to future economic growth for our district."
The group visited 'The Dog' in Tīrau, the Okoroire Hotel, Kuranui Lodge, a modern dairy farm, the proposed dairy factory site in Arapuni, Rhubarb Caf, the Buttermilk investment opportunity in Putāruru, New Zealand Quality Waters, engineering firms Waratah and South Waikato Precision Engineering, Olsen Forestry Management, the Ray Lincoln/James and Son warehouse and stockfeed operation in Browning Street, and the proposed rail siding at the site.
"I have long supported the development of a rail siding in Tokoroa," said Mayor Sinclair. "The MD of COSCO NZ (China Ocean Shipping Co) gave us his insight into the potential of this project. COSCO are a $17billion business worldwide."
"We emphasised our central location, SH1 road links, the availability of industrial land, our rail network to both the ports of Auckland and Tauranga, our multi-cultural community, the availability of labour, and the skill base particularly of our engineering companies, whilst not forgetting our forestry and farming expertise," said Council Chief Executive Craig Hobbs.
But it wasn't all business opportunity focussed. The delegation also visited the beautiful Blue Spring and Te Waihou; braved the Arapuni Suspension Bridge; visited a small portion of the Waikato River Trails to learn more about the project; were treated to explanations of the rich history of the Raukawa people at the Papa O Te Araoha Marae by hosts Nigel Te Hiko, Raukawa kaumātua and Kuia; and were welcomed to Council by the Council Waiata group.
All of the guests were extremely complimentary about the beauty of our district, the very impressive businesses that we visited and the economic potential that we offer.
"This visit provided us an opportunity to showcase business and tourist opportunities. We even talked about the establishment of a language school," concluded Mayor Sinclair. "The success of this visit was in no small way due not only to the effort of our staff but also to all the businesses that showed our visitors around. Thank you to everyone involved in a highly successful visit. As I told the delegation, "what we showed you is just a taste of what we have on offer you need to come back for the full picture of what makes the South Waikato the place it is"."
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The group consisted of:
- NIU Qingbao, Consul General, Auckland
- ZHANG Zhihong, Consul for Commerce
- FANG Dongbo, Consul for Education
- ZHANG Yu, Consul for Political and Overseas Chinese
- WANG Zhichao, Consul Driver
- LIU Feng, Managing Director of COSCO NZ
- Lisa Li, Managing Director of China Travel Services (NZ)
- William Zhao, Managing Director of Yashili Dairy NZ Ltd
- Allen Ren, China Southern Airlines Company Limited
- Mayor Neil Sinclair
- Craig Hobbs, Chief Executive
- Councillor Herman Van Rooijen
- Deputy Mayor Jenny Shattock
- Cindy Kent, Strategic Projects Manager
