Shanghai, China - June 18, 2025 (CGTN - No access Chinese mainland)
1. Various of New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon attending business event, being greeted by traditional Maori haka dance performance
2. Various of Luxon posing for group photos with other officials, business representatives
3. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Luxon, New Zealand Prime Minister (starting with shot 2):
"When consumers choose New Zealand, we want them to have full confidence about the products from New Zealand that they're buying. That's why this new ‘grass-fed standard’ delivers. It sets a very, very clear standard and a benchmark that provides assurance to you as the consumers."
4. Luxon, Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell holding document, posing for photos
5. Celebration of Fonterra's recognition under New Zealand grass-fed standard in progress
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Miles Hurrell, CEO, Fonterra (starting with shot 5):
"An economy like China that, you know, continues to grow at a time when the rest of the world is actually slowing down somewhat, but you're seeing significant growth in the Chinese economy. So, their growing middle class, and people are looking for safe, nutritious food to know where it comes from. And so, the ‘grass-fed standard’ underpinning all of that is something that we see as a huge opportunity for us to work with our customers, consumers in this market to grow further."
7. Various of dairy products on display
8. SOUNDBITE (Chinese) Yang Liu, president, China Cuisine Association:
"The introduction of this standard presents an advanced concept for global dairy products. Fonterra's dairy products have been very popular in China's Western cuisine and catering industry since entering the market."
9. Luxon entering ceremony hall
10. Various of launching ceremony of Shanghai-Auckland-South America route in progress, attendees
11. Signing ceremony in progress
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Christopher Luxon, New Zealand Prime Minister:
"China Eastern has announced it will launch this new route in December, the first airline to do so. It's a smart strategic move that strengthens our links with two major regions, and reinforces Auckland's role as a world class transit hub. We are really excited to see two global growth regions, China and South America, being linked through Auckland.”
13. Luxon, representatives posing for photos
14. Backdrop

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon started his official visit to China in Shanghai on Wednesday, leading a delegation of senior officials and business leaders to explore potential collaboration opportunities with its largest trading partner.

Luxon's visit marks his first trip to China since taking office in November 2023. His delegation includes top New Zealand companies including Fonterra, Zespri, A2 Milk, and Silver Fern Farms.

At a business event hosted by New Zealand's biggest dairy cooperative Fonterra, Luxon celebrated the group's recognition of a new ‘grass-fed standard’ and promoted his country's premium meat and milk products.

"When consumers choose New Zealand, we want them to have full confidence about the products from New Zealand that they're buying. That's why this new ‘grass-fed standard’ delivers. It sets a very, very clear standard and a benchmark that provides assurance to you as the consumers," he said.

The China-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement means all New Zealand dairy products have been able to enter China without tariffs or limits since January 2024. This gives New Zealand dairy companies more chances to grow in the Chinese market.

"An economy like China that, you know, continues to grow at a time when the rest of the world is actually slowing down somewhat, but you're seeing significant growth in the Chinese economy. So, their growing middle class, and people are looking for safe, nutritious food to know where it comes from. And so, the ‘grass-fed standard’ underpinning all of that is something that we see as a huge opportunity for us to work with our customers, consumers in this market to grow further," said Fonterra CEO Miles Hurrell.

"The introduction of this standard presents an advanced concept for global dairy products. Fonterra's dairy products have been very popular in China's Western cuisine and catering industry since entering the market," said Yang Liu, president of the China Cuisine Association.

Luxon also witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between China Eastern Airlines and Auckland Airport on launching the Shanghai-Auckland-South America route. The Prime Minister said that airline cooperation is key to boosting tourism between China, New Zealand, the Pacific Islands, and even South America.

"China Eastern has announced it will launch this new route in December, the first airline to do so. It's a smart strategic move that strengthens our links with two major regions, and reinforces Auckland's role as a world class transit hub. We are really excited to see two global growth regions, China and South America, being linked through Auckland,” said Luxon.

After wrapping up his visit to Shanghai, the prime minister will continue on to Beijing, for meetings and talks with Chinese leaders on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern.