June 26, 2023
Hipkins ready for kapa haka diplomacy
The Prime Minister is in China this week with a trade mission that includes a number of Māori business people.
Chris Hipkins says China takes nearly a quarter of all New Zealand exports, and the make-up of the delegation reflects an objective to diversify the breadth of exports from traditional goods like dairy, meat and wood.
China was also the second largest source of tourists pre-COVID, so it’s a critical part of the economic recovery – which is why Te Matatini winners Te Whanau a Apanui are part of the mission.
“Having kapa haka alongside MPs and Ministers when they are travelling internationally just presents such a positive picture of New Zealand so I’m really humbled they have agreed to come,” Mr Hipkins says.
The Prime Minister is set to meet President Xi Jinping tomorrow.