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A senior Chinese diplomat has paid a visit to Waikato-Tainui to show his commitment to a growing relationship with the tribe.
Niu Qingbao, the consul-general to the Auckland and Waikato regions planted a rengarenga and a kawariki during his visit to Te Ohaaki Marae in Huntly.
Ricky Maipi from Te Riu o Waikato, a business development organisation representing a cluster of 15 marae, says the gesture symbolised a growing bond between the two peoples.
"It’s become a very important relationship between the two nations. I did visit China two years ago at the invitation of a Chinese business group and the result was there is a lot we can do around our investment, so looking for investment money from the China financial business arm," he says.
Mr Maipi says while Waikato-Tainui doesn’t have the access to commodities that Chinese businesses are seeking, there could be investment opportunities in tourism, infrastructure and construction.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH RICKY MAIPI CLICK ON THE LINK
http://www.waateanews.com/play_podcast?podlink=MTU0NzQ=
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