June 18, 2025

What does trade look like between Māori and China?

Matthew Tukaki Posted On June 18, 2025

New China FTA to benefit Maori exporters

The 2008 NZ–China Free Trade Agreement (FTA), upgraded in 2020, offers major advantages to Māori exporters. Key sectors like forestry, seafood, and wood/paper now benefit from tariff-free access and streamlined trade facilitation – including origin self-declarations and faster customs clearance – directly supporting iwi and Māori enterprises

Māori collectively control:

50% of NZ’s fishing quota,
30% of plantation forestry,
 30% of lamb, 10% of dairy & kiwifruit output

This underpins Māori exporters’ ability to capitalize on improved China access. Launched in late 2023–early 2024, the HUI Māori Collective unites around 11 premium Māori brands – such as Manuka honey, wine, fruit bars, and Kawakawa soft drinks -and sells them directly to Chinese consumers via NZ Post’s flagship Tmall Global store.

Features a Food Trust Framework and FernMark provenance certification to ensure product authenticity.
NZTE, AsureQuality, NZ Post, ANZ, and Auckland Airport partnered to build logistics, IP protection, and blockchain traceability

Designers like Kiri Nathan have spearheaded Māori fashion missions to China, participating in trade missions and exposing Chinese audiences to indigenous creative industries. Māori performing arts (e.g. Te Wehi Haka) led trade missions – especially during the 2019 NZ- China Year of Tourism – showcasing kapa haka in Chengdu and Xi’an. These efforts laid groundwork for greater tourism and arts collaborations. Close cultural parallels-like emphasis on whakawhanaungatanga (relationship-building) and shared ancestral values -give Māori exporters an edge in engaging Chinese partners. A 2023 NZ China Council report noted Māori businesses “stand out” by prioritizing hospitality (manaakitanga) and relational trust, which resonate well in Chinese business culture Reddit discussion echoed this sentiment:

“Māori take a long-term approach … Bonding over kai, shared respect for taonga … advantage

While Māori exports to China peaked around NZD 347 million in 2018, they dipped to NZD 239 million by 2023, impacted by COVID, geopolitical headwinds, and economic slowdown. However, NZ -China trade overall continues strong (NZD 20 billion of exports in 2024), and Māori participation remains significant .