Tony Browne receives top accolade for contribution to the NZ-China relationship

Former New Zealand ambassador to China (2004-2009) Tony Browne has been recognised for his contribution to the New Zealand- China relationship at the (postponed) 2021 New Zealand China Trade Association’s New Zealand-China Business Awards delivered virtually last night.  

Our chair John McKinnon presented the award for Outstanding Contribution to the New Zealand-China Business Relationship to Tony.

John said: “Tony’s career with China has spanned the fifty years of the New Zealand China diplomatic relationship. His efforts have continued and expanded in the last ten years since his retirement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. His commitment to educating New Zealanders on the importance of our connections with China and to fostering links across the full range of economic, cultural, political and social ties is a model for us all.”

In his presentation, John congratulated all the finalists of the Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Business Relationship between New Zealand and China. He acknowledged that all our finalists have made unique contributions to the business relationship between New Zealand and China over the years. John said: “This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between New Zealand and China. We’ve done a lot and come a long way together. As the saying goes: Ehara taku toa i te toa takitahi, engari he toa takitini  (Success is not the work of one, but the work of many).”

John also made a special mention of Air New Zealand in his presentation. Due to Covid-19, when international borders were shut around the world and passenger demand spiralled down, when a lot of other airlines grounded fleets, Air New Zealand kept flying. They ensured international trade links were kept open for New Zealand exporters and importers, enabled movement of PPEs and helped exporters to get premium fresh produce to China.

The Award is sponsored by the New Zealand China Council.