The secret diary of .. Luxon in China
MONDAY
'Where are your slippers?,' Amanda said. 'You'll need your slippers.'
Much is at fate for the destiny and wellbeing of New Zealand as I head to China this week to deliver a set of deliverables.
'I can't find your slippers,' she said.
Other great helmsmen from history must have felt the same excitement and sense of purpose as they prepared to carry the hopes of their people and sit down to make sure they get share of mind.
'Your feet get so cold in air-conditioned hotel rooms,' she said.
But it's more than the welfare of Kiwis that is at stake. These talks in China are held at a delicately poised time of increased global volatility and I have an important voice as world leaders iron out a phased launch within a wider strategy.
'If you won't help, then suit yourself,' she said.
The DPS arrived. It was time to go. The great tides of history wait for no man.
TUESDAY
It's a very long flight to China but that allowed an opportunity to get to know the trade delegates from Zespri, Fonterra, and Supercheap Auto which stocks a variety of car batteries, air filters, coolants and more.
Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran was also among the delegation.
'Not what it used to be, is it,' I said.
'Sorry?'
'The airline. It used to be one of the world's great airlines. I led it into an era of unprecedented success but the bottom seems to have fallen out since I left office.'
'None of that is true,' he said, and left to use the bathroom. I never saw him again.
WEDNESDAY
We raced off out of the blocks with meetings to raise awareness of the New Zealand tourism offering in the Chinese market, and a visit to a cosmetics event to discuss regulatory barriers of skincare products. You don't want to boil the ocean by alphabetising our client contact information but at the same time you want to reach out and come away with important learnings.
I was on my feet all day. They hurt and I think I might have chilblains.
THURSDAY
To the Langham Hotel for a Fonterra event promoting grass-fed dairy where attendees were served milk in champagne flutes.
And then the Peninsula Hotel, to oversee the announcement of a new flight route between China and South America, stopping in Auckland.
After that, The Do Drop Inn where reps from Supercheap Auto wowed Chinese officials with budget deals on the Tridon Coolant Temperature Sensor, Fuel Injection Air Flow Meter and the Bissell Spot Clean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner. Our tiger team really moved the needle on that one.
But it was misery to go back to the hotel. They keep the aircon on high and I just could not get my feet warm.
FRIDAY
A face-to-face with President Xi in Beijing—my first since China sent a strike force into the Tasman Sea without warning.
I said to him, 'We have huge areas of co-operation that can advance the wealth of both countries, but we also have to acknowledge that we have differences.'
He seemed to be playing Solitaire on his phone, but he gave me his full attention, and asked, 'What differences?'
I thought of the possible bonanza in sales of meat and kiwifruit.
I thought of the benefits of the visit to the skincare event and the excitement caused by good deals on motor oil provided by Supercheap Auto.
Mainly I thought of how my feet were frozen blocks of ice, and I said, 'Nothing really. It's all good. Let's lean into our moving parts and build on our core competency!'
The DPS arrived. It was time to go. They had found me a pair of slippers.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Autocar
4 hours ago
- NZ Autocar
Honda's electric E-VO is for China only at present
Honda has officially launched its first full-size production electric motorcycle, the E-VO. It looks like a retro-styled cafe racer and is initially for the Chinese market where it is built. Beneath the round headlight and retro bodywork is a forged aluminium frame, a cast aluminium swingarm and a mid-mounted motor. It is good for 15-16kW, depending on battery size. It evidently hikes from 0-50km/h in 2.8sec and manages up to 120km/h in triple-battery format. Read our review of Honda's E-Clutch system. The standard version runs a 4.1kWh lithium-ion battery, weighs 143kg and has a range of around 120km. Meanwhile, the 'triple-battery' variant has 6.2kWh, weighs in at 156kg and run for 170km before needing a recharge. Both versions support Honda's swappable battery tech. It takes 1.5 hours to charge from 20–80 per cent at home while the triple-battery version requires 2.5 hours. E-VO features four ride modes, TC, ABS, a reverse gear, hill-hold function and cruise control. It also has an adaptive LED headlight, a side stand interlock and USB-A and USB-C charge ports. A seven-inch full-colour TFT dash supports full-screen navigation and there's also a rearview monitor. The key is activated via smartphone with Bluetooth unlock. An app lets you check bike status remotely. There's room for a smartphone in the 'tank area' too. This is a full-sized motorcycle with USD forks, and a monoshock at the rear. Stopping power comes from disc brakes at both ends. Whether it will make its way outside of China is not yet clear.
Newsroom
5 hours ago
- Newsroom
The secret diary of .. Luxon in China
MONDAY 'Where are your slippers?,' Amanda said. 'You'll need your slippers.' Much is at fate for the destiny and wellbeing of New Zealand as I head to China this week to deliver a set of deliverables. 'I can't find your slippers,' she said. Other great helmsmen from history must have felt the same excitement and sense of purpose as they prepared to carry the hopes of their people and sit down to make sure they get share of mind. 'Your feet get so cold in air-conditioned hotel rooms,' she said. But it's more than the welfare of Kiwis that is at stake. These talks in China are held at a delicately poised time of increased global volatility and I have an important voice as world leaders iron out a phased launch within a wider strategy. 'If you won't help, then suit yourself,' she said. The DPS arrived. It was time to go. The great tides of history wait for no man. TUESDAY It's a very long flight to China but that allowed an opportunity to get to know the trade delegates from Zespri, Fonterra, and Supercheap Auto which stocks a variety of car batteries, air filters, coolants and more. Air New Zealand CEO Greg Foran was also among the delegation. 'Not what it used to be, is it,' I said. 'Sorry?' 'The airline. It used to be one of the world's great airlines. I led it into an era of unprecedented success but the bottom seems to have fallen out since I left office.' 'None of that is true,' he said, and left to use the bathroom. I never saw him again. WEDNESDAY We raced off out of the blocks with meetings to raise awareness of the New Zealand tourism offering in the Chinese market, and a visit to a cosmetics event to discuss regulatory barriers of skincare products. You don't want to boil the ocean by alphabetising our client contact information but at the same time you want to reach out and come away with important learnings. I was on my feet all day. They hurt and I think I might have chilblains. THURSDAY To the Langham Hotel for a Fonterra event promoting grass-fed dairy where attendees were served milk in champagne flutes. And then the Peninsula Hotel, to oversee the announcement of a new flight route between China and South America, stopping in Auckland. After that, The Do Drop Inn where reps from Supercheap Auto wowed Chinese officials with budget deals on the Tridon Coolant Temperature Sensor, Fuel Injection Air Flow Meter and the Bissell Spot Clean Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner. Our tiger team really moved the needle on that one. But it was misery to go back to the hotel. They keep the aircon on high and I just could not get my feet warm. FRIDAY A face-to-face with President Xi in Beijing—my first since China sent a strike force into the Tasman Sea without warning. I said to him, 'We have huge areas of co-operation that can advance the wealth of both countries, but we also have to acknowledge that we have differences.' He seemed to be playing Solitaire on his phone, but he gave me his full attention, and asked, 'What differences?' I thought of the possible bonanza in sales of meat and kiwifruit. I thought of the benefits of the visit to the skincare event and the excitement caused by good deals on motor oil provided by Supercheap Auto. Mainly I thought of how my feet were frozen blocks of ice, and I said, 'Nothing really. It's all good. Let's lean into our moving parts and build on our core competency!' The DPS arrived. It was time to go. They had found me a pair of slippers.
NZ Herald
9 hours ago
- NZ Herald
Christopher Luxon raises Cook Islands impasse with Chinese Premier, disagrees with Nato boss that China in league with Russia to undermine West
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon brought up New Zealand's frustrations over China's engagement with the Cook Islands in his meeting with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing yesterday. Relations between New Zealand and the Cook Islands are strained after Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown signed a Comprehensive Strategic
