Businesses from the Bay of Plenty and South Waikato are invited to express interest in a September 2026 trade delegation to Jiangxi Province, China. Estimated cost: NZD $4,500–$5,000 per person. No commitment required at this stage.
A Gateway to One of China's Major Regional Markets
Businesses from across the Bay of Plenty region and South Waikato District are being invited to express early interest in participating in a business delegation to Jiangxi Province, China, in September 2026.
The proposed delegation is designed to help New Zealand businesses explore opportunities in one of China's fastest-growing regional markets while leveraging the existing sister-province relationship between the Bay of Plenty and Jiangxi Province, as well as South Waikato District's established city partnership within the province.
The initiative is being coordinated by Eastern Bridge Limited, which has been actively involved in managing and strengthening relationships between New Zealand communities and partners in Jiangxi for over a decade.
Jiangxi Province sits in central China and forms part of the rapidly developing Yangtze River Economic Belt — one of the most important economic corridors in the country. Over the past decade, Jiangxi has experienced strong economic growth, and rising consumer incomes are driving strong demand for imported products perceived as safe, premium, and internationally trusted.
New Zealand products enjoy an excellent reputation among Chinese consumers, particularly in:
- Dairy and food products
- Health and nutritional products
- Skin care and beauty
- Lifestyle and wellness goods
For small and medium-sized businesses, the Jiangxi market offers the advantage of large population scale without the extreme competition and costs associated with China's largest coastal cities.
Jiangxi's economic development zones are home to major manufacturing and logistics hubs, offering direct access to distribution networks across central China.
Leveraging the Bay of Plenty – Jiangxi Relationship
The proposed delegation builds on the long-standing sister province relationship between the Bay of Plenty and Jiangxi Province. This relationship provides participating businesses with access to networks that are often difficult to establish independently, including connections with:
- Provincial government agencies
- City governments and industry associations
- Commercial distributors and retail networks
- Digital commerce platforms
Through these relationships, businesses joining the delegation will have the opportunity to meet directly with potential partners and decision-makers who are actively seeking international products and suppliers.
What Participating Businesses Can Expect
The September 2026 programme will include a range of activities designed to provide practical insights into the Chinese market while facilitating direct business engagement.
Structured sessions with importers, distributors, retail procurement managers, e-commerce platforms, and influencer marketing agencies — tailored to each participating company.
Opportunities to showcase products at events organised for local buyers, retailers, and media — introducing NZ brands directly to potential customers and partners.
Visits to Chinese Free Trade Zones including an e-commerce FTZ — covering cross-border sales models, logistics, bonded storage, digital marketing, and regulatory requirements.
Jiangxi's e-commerce free trade zones offer direct access to China's rapidly growing cross-border digital retail market — a key opportunity for NZ exporters.
Focus Sectors
While the delegation is open to businesses from a wide range of industries, particular interest is expected from companies in sectors where New Zealand products already enjoy strong demand in China.
NZ food products are widely recognised in China for their safety and quality — particularly dairy, honey, and premium packaged goods.
Natural ingredients and premium branding are particularly attractive to Chinese consumers, who actively seek out internationally trusted brands.
Demand for natural supplements and wellness products continues to grow rapidly across China's expanding middle-class consumer base.
New Zealand products — including kiwifruit, dairy, and health goods — are actively sought by Chinese consumers and retailers in Jiangxi.
Why Join a Delegation Rather Than Travel Alone?
Entering the Chinese market can be complex for small and medium-sized businesses. Participating in an organised delegation provides several advantages:
- Access to established government and commercial networks
- Pre-arranged meetings with potential partners
- Cultural and business guidance throughout the visit
- Shared learning with other New Zealand businesses
- Reduced risk when exploring a new market
- Additional credibility through local government representation
A Broader Programme of Engagement
The business delegation will form part of a larger programme of exchanges taking place between New Zealand and Jiangxi at the same time. The visit is expected to coincide with a mayoral-led local government delegation and a large volunteer programme involving young New Zealanders travelling to Jiangxi.
Bringing these groups together strengthens the wider relationship between the regions and demonstrates the depth of engagement across government, community, and business sectors — creating additional opportunities for businesses participating in the delegation.
Nanchang, the capital of Jiangxi Province, is a dynamic city of over 6 million people and the hub of the delegation's programme of events.
Estimated Costs
The estimated cost for participating in the delegation is expected to be between NZD $4,500 and $5,000 per person. Final programme details and pricing will be confirmed once initial interest levels are known.
At this stage, businesses are not being asked to commit to participation. Registering your expression of interest helps organisers understand which businesses may wish to attend, what products or services they wish to promote, and what types of business partners they hope to meet.
Register Your Interest