Latest news with #VictoriaUniversity
Canada News.Net
12 hours ago
- Business
- Canada News.Net
New Zealand aims to attract Chinese tourists and students
BEIJING/WELLINGTON: New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon commenced his visit to China on June 17, seeking to strengthen trade relations and attract tourists and students while also addressing sensitive topics related to security and defense in discussions with key leaders. This marks Luxon's first trip to China since taking office in November 2023. He began in Shanghai before traveling to Beijing, where, as his office announced, he is scheduled to meet with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang on June 20. "It's all part of our strategy to boost our economy—creating more jobs, increasing wages, and ensuring more money is in your pocket," Luxon shared on Instagram as he departed. This visit occurs against the backdrop of rising Chinese influence in the Pacific, which has raised concerns among many Western countries, whose previous more substantial security presence is being tested. "There are numerous issues and challenges in the relationship," noted Jason Young, director of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre at Victoria University, who mentioned that both nations recognize their significant mutual interests. In February, New Zealand expressed worries when the Cook Islands, under its constitutional umbrella, signed several agreements with China regarding cooperation in areas such as economy, infrastructure, and seabed mining without prior consultation. Additionally, Young added that the presence of a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy task force in the Tasman Sea and other Chinese activities in the Pacific present further obstacles to the relationship. Despite these challenges, trade and travel represent less contentious areas between the two nations. New Zealand was the first developed country to establish a free trade agreement with China in 2008, exporting significant amounts of dairy, meat, and wood products. The tourism and educational sectors are also substantial. According to the foreign ministry, New Zealand's exports to China in 2024 reached NZ$20.85 billion (US$12.64 billion), comprising NZ$17.75 billion in goods and NZ$3.1 billion in services. Chinese tourists make up the third-largest group of international visitors to New Zealand, although their numbers remain almost 20 percent lower than in 2019, prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the weekend, New Zealand announced it would introduce a 12-month trial of visa waivers for Chinese passport holders arriving from Australia with valid visas starting in November. This move reciprocates China's policy of offering visa-free entry to New Zealanders implemented last year. Luxon has referred to China as "an essential part" of his country's economic narrative and indicated that discussions during his four-day visit will touch on security and defense matters. He has noted the importance of engaging with China on significant issues, given the challenging global landscape. Previously, leaders from both countries met during November's APEC summit in Peru, and Li visited New Zealand in June 2022. Historically, Wellington has adopted a more accommodating stance towards China compared to Australia and its fellow members of the Five Eyes security alliance. However, in recent years, it has become more assertive on topics such as human rights, international law, and potential militarization in the Pacific. In June 2023, former Prime Minister Chris Hipkins visited Beijing ahead of Luxon's trip.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- General
- RNZ News
Derelict Wellington building allowed to exist for 'far too long'
The Gordon Wilson flats have been sitting empty since 2012. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens Heritage New Zealand is "deeply disappointed" at the seemingly imminent demolition of a block of flats in central Wellington, and is slamming the long-term wisdom of the decision. A planned amendment to the Resource Management Act (RMA), expected to be passed by the end of July, would remove the heritage protection for the Gordon Wilson flats . Deemed earthquake prone and owned by Victoria University, they have been sitting empty since 2012. RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop said it was "insane" that specific legislation was required to get rid of them, and the university has signalled it would move quickly with the wrecking ball to make way for new student accommodation. But a group of architects remains hopeful an 11th hour design bid could save the apartments. The Architectural Centre president Paul Harvey said the flats on The Terrace were a rare example of modernist architecture in New Zealand, with unique design elements. He said the centre wanted to see it kept and the goal should be to refurbish, not demolish. "For the last six months or so we've been working on a scheme... and that will highlight how we hope the building can remain and persevere. "We are trying to paint the best picture and we hope for its retention." Harvey said the group expected to submit a design to the university within the next month, which would include new accommodation alongside the original, but upgraded, buildings. Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga was also pushing for refurbishment and said it was "deeply disappointed" by the impending decision to raze the Gordon Wilson and the neighbouring McLean flats. In a statement, it said the two buildings - designed under the guidance of Gordon Wilson - were once home to generations of New Zealanders. "Many of whom lived there due to the same social and economic forces that shaped our nation's history - economic conditions that people today may sympathise with." It said heritage and development was a balancing act. "In this case, the environmental impacts of demolition and rebuild, the heritage loss, and the irony of demolishing existing accommodation to construct proposed new accommodation, raise serious concerns about the long-term wisdom of this outcome." Wellington city councillor Ben McNulty and Housing Minister Chris Bishop. Photo: RNZ / Mary Argue Heritage NZ central region director Dr Jamie Jacobs said the superficial deterioration from years of disuse and lack of maintenance did not diminish the building's heritage significance and could be remedied. "Refurbishment and strengthening are achievable and could return the buildings to their original use as residential accommodation - retaining both function and history." However, the university's acting vice chancellor and provost Bryony James said the university had explored all its options and renovation was not possible. She said since 2012, the buildings had cost the university about $1.5 million in security measures to keep people out - money that would be better spent on scholarships and student housing. "There were some youngsters leaping over the fence and gapping it even today, that's not safe for them. We do everything we can to keep it safe, but it's costing us quite a lot of money. "We're delighted that now we can invest where that money is going to do most good." James said the university was financially ready for an overhaul of the site, and once the bill passed and the heritage status had been removed it would apply to the council for a consent to demolish it. "I'll be down here personally with a hard-hat on, I can't wait." Last year, Housing Minister Chris Bishop rejected Wellington City Council's recommendation to remove heritage protections from several buildings, including the Gordon Wilson Flats, saying the council had not provided sufficient evidence . Victoria University acting vice chancellor and provost Bryony James, RMA Reform and Housing Minister Chris Bishop, and Wellington city councillor Ben McNulty outside Wellington's Gordon Wilson Flats on The Terrace. Photo: RNZ / Mary Argue However, in his announcement of the proposed RMA amendment yesterday, he said it was "totally insane" that the buildings had sat there unoccupied for more than 10 years. "They are riddled with graffiti, they're earthquake prone, they're asbestos ridden, they are a derelict eyesore..." He said they had been allowed to exist for "far too long" and with some exceptions, most people wanted to see the buildings gone. "We're faced with this ridiculous situation where the owner wants it gone, the council wants it gone, the government wants it gone, the people of Wellington want it gone, but the law doesn't let it happen. "So, ultimately we're just going to change the law to let it happen." Bishop said a review of the wider issue of heritage protections would come down the line in the overhaul of the RMA, and the current bill was specific to the de-listing of the Gordon Wilson flats. The amendment also included wording to grant councils greater powers to remove heritage-listed infrastructure - something Wellington City Councillor Ben McNulty was keen to act on. McNulty said the Gordon Wilson flats was the prime example of dysfunctional heritage laws, but there were plenty of others in the city, He hoped to table the delisting of other heritage buildings and infrastructure - the Dixon Street flats, Karori tunnel, the oil tank in Miramar, and the seawall on the band rotunda - in a district plan review in August. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
The Advertiser
3 days ago
- Business
- The Advertiser
NZ PM to discuss trade, tourism and security in China
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will use his China visit to foster trade ties and woo tourists and students, although thorny issues of security and defence will figure on his agenda in meetings with top leaders. Making his first visit to China since becoming prime minister in November 2023, Luxon will arrive in the financial hub of Shanghai on Tuesday before heading to Beijing for meetings on Friday with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, his office said. "It's all part of our plan to grow our economy - creating more jobs, lifting wages, and putting more money in your back pocket," Luxon said in an Instagram post as he set off. The visit comes as Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific during the last few years has alarmed many Western nations whose traditionally stronger security foothold there is being challenged. "There are a whole bunch of issues and challenges in the relationship," said Jason Young, director of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre at Victoria University, while adding that both sides agree they have significant interests. New Zealand aired concerns in February, for instance, when the Cook Islands, within its constitutional ambit, signed pacts, such as one on co-operation on the economy, infrastructure and seabed mining, with China, without consulting it first. The presence of a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy task force in the Tasman Sea and Chinese activity in the Pacific also pose challenges for the relationship, Young added. Trade and travel have proved less fractious areas for the two countries, however. The first developed nation to sign a free trade deal with Beijing in 2008, New Zealand counts dairy, meat and wood products as its largest items of export to China. Tourism and education are major services sectors. The Pacific country's exports to China in 2024 stood at NZ$20.85 billion ($A19.36 billion), made up of NZ$17.75 billion ($A16.48 billion) in goods and NZ$3.1 billion ($A2.9 billion) in services, the foreign ministry says on its website. Chinese tourists are the third-largest group of international visitors to New Zealand, though their numbers are still nearly a fifth lower than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, official data shows. On the weekend, New Zealand said it would start in November a 12-month trial of visa waivers for Chinese passport holders arriving from Australia with visas valid for its neighbour, reciprocating China's visa-free policy for New Zealanders last year. Luxon, who has called China "a vital part" of his Pacific nation's economic story, has told domestic media that based on the "mature relationship" with Beijing, he expects talks during his four-day visit to cover topics of security and defence. "The challenging global outlook makes it vital that we are sharing perspectives and engaging China on issues that matter to New Zealand," his office said in a statement last week. The leaders of the two countries previously met on the sidelines of November's APEC summit in Peru, while Li visited New Zealand in June last year. New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will use his China visit to foster trade ties and woo tourists and students, although thorny issues of security and defence will figure on his agenda in meetings with top leaders. Making his first visit to China since becoming prime minister in November 2023, Luxon will arrive in the financial hub of Shanghai on Tuesday before heading to Beijing for meetings on Friday with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, his office said. "It's all part of our plan to grow our economy - creating more jobs, lifting wages, and putting more money in your back pocket," Luxon said in an Instagram post as he set off. The visit comes as Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific during the last few years has alarmed many Western nations whose traditionally stronger security foothold there is being challenged. "There are a whole bunch of issues and challenges in the relationship," said Jason Young, director of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre at Victoria University, while adding that both sides agree they have significant interests. New Zealand aired concerns in February, for instance, when the Cook Islands, within its constitutional ambit, signed pacts, such as one on co-operation on the economy, infrastructure and seabed mining, with China, without consulting it first. The presence of a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy task force in the Tasman Sea and Chinese activity in the Pacific also pose challenges for the relationship, Young added. Trade and travel have proved less fractious areas for the two countries, however. The first developed nation to sign a free trade deal with Beijing in 2008, New Zealand counts dairy, meat and wood products as its largest items of export to China. Tourism and education are major services sectors. The Pacific country's exports to China in 2024 stood at NZ$20.85 billion ($A19.36 billion), made up of NZ$17.75 billion ($A16.48 billion) in goods and NZ$3.1 billion ($A2.9 billion) in services, the foreign ministry says on its website. Chinese tourists are the third-largest group of international visitors to New Zealand, though their numbers are still nearly a fifth lower than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, official data shows. On the weekend, New Zealand said it would start in November a 12-month trial of visa waivers for Chinese passport holders arriving from Australia with visas valid for its neighbour, reciprocating China's visa-free policy for New Zealanders last year. Luxon, who has called China "a vital part" of his Pacific nation's economic story, has told domestic media that based on the "mature relationship" with Beijing, he expects talks during his four-day visit to cover topics of security and defence. "The challenging global outlook makes it vital that we are sharing perspectives and engaging China on issues that matter to New Zealand," his office said in a statement last week. The leaders of the two countries previously met on the sidelines of November's APEC summit in Peru, while Li visited New Zealand in June last year. New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will use his China visit to foster trade ties and woo tourists and students, although thorny issues of security and defence will figure on his agenda in meetings with top leaders. Making his first visit to China since becoming prime minister in November 2023, Luxon will arrive in the financial hub of Shanghai on Tuesday before heading to Beijing for meetings on Friday with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, his office said. "It's all part of our plan to grow our economy - creating more jobs, lifting wages, and putting more money in your back pocket," Luxon said in an Instagram post as he set off. The visit comes as Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific during the last few years has alarmed many Western nations whose traditionally stronger security foothold there is being challenged. "There are a whole bunch of issues and challenges in the relationship," said Jason Young, director of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre at Victoria University, while adding that both sides agree they have significant interests. New Zealand aired concerns in February, for instance, when the Cook Islands, within its constitutional ambit, signed pacts, such as one on co-operation on the economy, infrastructure and seabed mining, with China, without consulting it first. The presence of a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy task force in the Tasman Sea and Chinese activity in the Pacific also pose challenges for the relationship, Young added. Trade and travel have proved less fractious areas for the two countries, however. The first developed nation to sign a free trade deal with Beijing in 2008, New Zealand counts dairy, meat and wood products as its largest items of export to China. Tourism and education are major services sectors. The Pacific country's exports to China in 2024 stood at NZ$20.85 billion ($A19.36 billion), made up of NZ$17.75 billion ($A16.48 billion) in goods and NZ$3.1 billion ($A2.9 billion) in services, the foreign ministry says on its website. Chinese tourists are the third-largest group of international visitors to New Zealand, though their numbers are still nearly a fifth lower than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, official data shows. On the weekend, New Zealand said it would start in November a 12-month trial of visa waivers for Chinese passport holders arriving from Australia with visas valid for its neighbour, reciprocating China's visa-free policy for New Zealanders last year. Luxon, who has called China "a vital part" of his Pacific nation's economic story, has told domestic media that based on the "mature relationship" with Beijing, he expects talks during his four-day visit to cover topics of security and defence. "The challenging global outlook makes it vital that we are sharing perspectives and engaging China on issues that matter to New Zealand," his office said in a statement last week. The leaders of the two countries previously met on the sidelines of November's APEC summit in Peru, while Li visited New Zealand in June last year. New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will use his China visit to foster trade ties and woo tourists and students, although thorny issues of security and defence will figure on his agenda in meetings with top leaders. Making his first visit to China since becoming prime minister in November 2023, Luxon will arrive in the financial hub of Shanghai on Tuesday before heading to Beijing for meetings on Friday with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, his office said. "It's all part of our plan to grow our economy - creating more jobs, lifting wages, and putting more money in your back pocket," Luxon said in an Instagram post as he set off. The visit comes as Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific during the last few years has alarmed many Western nations whose traditionally stronger security foothold there is being challenged. "There are a whole bunch of issues and challenges in the relationship," said Jason Young, director of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre at Victoria University, while adding that both sides agree they have significant interests. New Zealand aired concerns in February, for instance, when the Cook Islands, within its constitutional ambit, signed pacts, such as one on co-operation on the economy, infrastructure and seabed mining, with China, without consulting it first. The presence of a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy task force in the Tasman Sea and Chinese activity in the Pacific also pose challenges for the relationship, Young added. Trade and travel have proved less fractious areas for the two countries, however. The first developed nation to sign a free trade deal with Beijing in 2008, New Zealand counts dairy, meat and wood products as its largest items of export to China. Tourism and education are major services sectors. The Pacific country's exports to China in 2024 stood at NZ$20.85 billion ($A19.36 billion), made up of NZ$17.75 billion ($A16.48 billion) in goods and NZ$3.1 billion ($A2.9 billion) in services, the foreign ministry says on its website. Chinese tourists are the third-largest group of international visitors to New Zealand, though their numbers are still nearly a fifth lower than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, official data shows. On the weekend, New Zealand said it would start in November a 12-month trial of visa waivers for Chinese passport holders arriving from Australia with visas valid for its neighbour, reciprocating China's visa-free policy for New Zealanders last year. Luxon, who has called China "a vital part" of his Pacific nation's economic story, has told domestic media that based on the "mature relationship" with Beijing, he expects talks during his four-day visit to cover topics of security and defence. "The challenging global outlook makes it vital that we are sharing perspectives and engaging China on issues that matter to New Zealand," his office said in a statement last week. The leaders of the two countries previously met on the sidelines of November's APEC summit in Peru, while Li visited New Zealand in June last year.
Perth Now
3 days ago
- Business
- Perth Now
NZ PM to discuss trade, tourism and security in China
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will use his China visit to foster trade ties and woo tourists and students, although thorny issues of security and defence will figure on his agenda in meetings with top leaders. Making his first visit to China since becoming prime minister in November 2023, Luxon will arrive in the financial hub of Shanghai on Tuesday before heading to Beijing for meetings on Friday with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, his office said. "It's all part of our plan to grow our economy - creating more jobs, lifting wages, and putting more money in your back pocket," Luxon said in an Instagram post as he set off. The visit comes as Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific during the last few years has alarmed many Western nations whose traditionally stronger security foothold there is being challenged. "There are a whole bunch of issues and challenges in the relationship," said Jason Young, director of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre at Victoria University, while adding that both sides agree they have significant interests. New Zealand aired concerns in February, for instance, when the Cook Islands, within its constitutional ambit, signed pacts, such as one on co-operation on the economy, infrastructure and seabed mining, with China, without consulting it first. The presence of a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy task force in the Tasman Sea and Chinese activity in the Pacific also pose challenges for the relationship, Young added. Trade and travel have proved less fractious areas for the two countries, however. The first developed nation to sign a free trade deal with Beijing in 2008, New Zealand counts dairy, meat and wood products as its largest items of export to China. Tourism and education are major services sectors. The Pacific country's exports to China in 2024 stood at NZ$20.85 billion ($A19.36 billion), made up of NZ$17.75 billion ($A16.48 billion) in goods and NZ$3.1 billion ($A2.9 billion) in services, the foreign ministry says on its website. Chinese tourists are the third-largest group of international visitors to New Zealand, though their numbers are still nearly a fifth lower than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic, official data shows. On the weekend, New Zealand said it would start in November a 12-month trial of visa waivers for Chinese passport holders arriving from Australia with visas valid for its neighbour, reciprocating China's visa-free policy for New Zealanders last year. Luxon, who has called China "a vital part" of his Pacific nation's economic story, has told domestic media that based on the "mature relationship" with Beijing, he expects talks during his four-day visit to cover topics of security and defence. "The challenging global outlook makes it vital that we are sharing perspectives and engaging China on issues that matter to New Zealand," his office said in a statement last week. The leaders of the two countries previously met on the sidelines of November's APEC summit in Peru, while Li visited New Zealand in June last year.
AsiaOne
3 days ago
- Business
- AsiaOne
New Zealand PM to discuss trade, tourism and security in first visit to China, World News
BEIJING/WELLINGTON — New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will visit China from Tuesday (June 17), looking to foster trade ties and woo tourists and students, although thorny issues of security and defence will figure on his agenda in meetings with top leaders. Making his first visit to China since becoming prime minister in November 2023, Luxon will arrive in the financial hub of Shanghai before heading to Beijing for meetings on Friday with President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Qiang, his office said. "It's all part of our plan to grow our economy — creating more jobs, lifting wages, and putting more money in your back pocket," Luxon said in an Instagram post as he set off. The visit comes as Beijing's growing influence in the Pacific during the last few years has alarmed many Western nations whose traditionally stronger security foothold there is being challenged. "There are a whole bunch of issues and challenges in the relationship," said Jason Young, director of the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre at Victoria University, while adding that both sides agree they have significant interests. New Zealand aired concerns in February, for instance, when the Cook Islands, within its constitutional ambit, signed pacts, such as one on co-operation on the economy, infrastructure and seabed mining, with China, without consulting it first. The presence of a Chinese People's Liberation Army Navy task force in the Tasman Sea and Chinese activity in the Pacific also pose challenges for the relationship, Young added. Significant interests Trade and travel have proved less fractious areas for the two countries, however. The first developed nation to sign a free trade deal with Beijing in 2008, New Zealand counts dairy, meat and wood products as its largest items of export to China. Tourism and education are major services sectors. The Pacific country's exports to China in 2024 stood at NZ$20.85 billion (S$16.22 billion), made up of NZ$17.75 billion in goods and NZ$3.1 billion in services, the foreign ministry says on its website. Chinese tourists are the third-largest group of international visitors to New Zealand, though their numbers are still nearly a fifth lower than in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic, official data shows. On the weekend, New Zealand said it would start in November a 12-month trial of visa waivers for Chinese passport holders arriving from Australia with visas valid for its neighbour, reciprocating China's visa-free policy for New Zealanders last year. Luxon, who has called China "a vital part" of his Pacific nation's economic story, has told domestic media that based on the "mature relationship" with Beijing, he expects talks during his four-day visit to cover topics of security and defence. "The challenging global outlook makes it vital that we are sharing perspectives and engaging China on issues that matter to New Zealand," his office said in a statement last week. The leaders of the two countries previously met on the sidelines of November's APEC summit in Peru, while Li visited New Zealand in June last year. Wellington has historically taken a more conciliatory approach towards China than Australia or its other partners in the Five Eyes security arrangement. But in recent years it has become more vocal on issues such as human rights, the international rules-based order and potential militarisation of the Pacific. In June 2023, then Prime Minister Chris Hipkins visited Beijing, prior to Luxon. [[nid:719163]]
