Te hono a te ao Māori ki a Haina: Māori approaches to engagement with China past, present, future

Abstract

This report explores Māori engagement with China and its people, past, present, and future, both here in Aotearoa New Zealand (‘New Zealand’) and in the People’s Republic of China (‘China’). Its purpose is to support a balanced and resilient relationship between New Zealand and China, with a focus on Māori-Chinese relations at a prominent level, tracing their historical, cultural, and economic connections. The report assembles insights from written records and first-hand accounts of Māori, Chinese, and Pākehā people into Māori-China engagement. It covers four aspects: early Māori engagement with China, current business relations, other contemporary links, and future opportunities with recommendations.