New Zealand promotes tourism in Shenzhen

A dinner party was held in Shenzhen last week to celebrate the start of the Maori New Year, an important tradition in New Zealand’s culture.

This event showcased the rich heritage of the Maori community and the appeal of New Zealand’s South Island, arousing interest among Shenzhen residents to explore the country's charms firsthand.

A group of Maori performers captivate the audience with a traditional song and dance. Courtesy of the Consulate General of New Zealand in Guangzhou.

Throughout the year, New Zealand is a popular destination. In June, as the northern hemisphere gears up for summer's scorching temperatures, New Zealand becomes an ideal off-season retreat, attracting skiing enthusiasts from all over the world.

The country also offers a range of year-round experiences that reveal its unique winter attractions, including stargazing, wildlife encounters, bungee jumping, skydiving, and a variety of thrilling outdoor activities.

A couple gazes at the stars in the New Zealand sky.

Winter, with its longer nights, lower humidity, and clear skies, is the prime season for stargazing. It provides excellent opportunities to observe Matariki (Pleiades), which is symbolic of the Maori New Year, and to witness the mesmerizing aurora australis.

Charles Yuan, the sales manager at Southern Discoveries, a leading New Zealand travel agency, disclosed that the one-day trip to Fiordland National Park is the top-selling adventure on all major Chinese tourism platforms.

 A skier glides down a snowy mountain in New Zealand above the cloud layer.

Fiordland National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site encompassing Milford, Dusky, and Doubtful Sounds, is home to Milford Sound, known as the Eighth Wonder of the World. Several of the park’s breathtaking fjords can be explored by kayak, providing an immersive experience. Moreover, the park is a haven for hikers, featuring three of New Zealand’s renowned “great walks” — the Milford, Kepler, and Routeburn Tracks.

New Zealand was among the first destinations included in China’s revival of outbound group tours in 2023, bringing renewed vitality to the local tourism sector. Starting this October, China Southern Airlines will increase the frequency of direct flights between Guangzhou and Christchurch in New Zealand to five flights weekly for five months, offering a more cost-effective and time-efficient way for travelers to enjoy New Zealand’s attractions.

The event was co-hosted by Christchurch International Airport, Consulate General of New Zealand in Guangzhou, Tourism New Zealand, and China Southern Airlines, with the shared goal of showcasing New Zealand's diverse tourism offerings and attracting more tourists from South China.