Second NZ-China Mayoral Forum Deepens Local Government Ties in Wellington
Building on the success of the inaugural 2015 event, the second New Zealand-China Mayoral Forum was held in Wellington in December 2017. As a preferred partner for LGNZ, Eastern Bridge played an expanded role in providing strategic advice, training, and on-the-ground support.
The second New Zealand-China Mayoral Forum was held in Wellington in December 2017, continuing the momentum from the successful inaugural forum in Xiamen two years prior. The event brought together ten mayors and vice-mayors from China and their New Zealand counterparts to discuss opportunities for cooperation in tourism, education, and primary industries, with a focus on sustainable economic development.
The forum culminated in the signing of the Wellington Declaration, reaffirming the commitment of both sides to strengthening sub-national ties. A key component of the event was a dedicated business matching session, providing a platform for New Zealand businesses to connect directly with potential investors and partners from China.
"It is particularly difficult for small councils with limited resourcing... one of the reasons to bring them all together is to amortise the cost across the sector. You’ve got to build trust, you’ve got to build friendship, you’ve got to be in some ways giving before you get."
— Dave Cull, President of Local Government New Zealand (2017)
Eastern Bridge: A Preferred Partner for LGNZ
Following our successful support for clients at the 2015 forum, Eastern Bridge was engaged by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) as a preferred partner for the 2017 event. Our role expanded significantly, reflecting a growing need for specialised expertise in navigating the NZ-China relationship.
We provided a comprehensive suite of services to prepare councils and businesses for the forum. This included strategic planning sessions, due diligence on potential partners, and the development of bilingual communications materials. A key innovation for this forum was the creation of online video training modules, allowing participants to prepare for the event at their own pace.
| Eastern Bridge Support Service (2017 Forum) | Description |
|---|---|
| Strategic Planning | Working with LGNZ to align the forum's objectives with regional development goals. |
| Online Video Training | Delivering scalable, pre-forum training modules for all participating councils on cultural etiquette and engagement strategies. |
| Bilingual Communications | Developing bilingual press releases, marketing collateral, and presentations for councils and businesses. |
| Commercial Workshops | Running targeted workshops for business delegates on pitching to Chinese investors and understanding the market. |
| On-the-Ground Support | Providing interpreting and facilitation services during the forum events and business matching sessions in Wellington. |
Building on Success
The 2017 forum demonstrated the value of a consistent, long-term approach to building sub-national relationships. By providing councils with the tools and knowledge to engage effectively, the event helped to create tangible outcomes, from new business partnerships to a deeper cultural understanding.
Eastern Bridge's role as a preferred partner highlighted the importance of professional, culturally-aware support in making these high-level forums a success. Our team was proud to contribute to this key event in the NZ-China relationship.
