Our story
Founded in Shenzhen in 2026, NZGBA strengthens grassroots connections among Kiwis, friends of New Zealand and New Zealand-connected businesses and organisations. Community, business, education and culture are all part of its purpose.
NZGBA grew from conversations with Kiwis and New Zealand-connected business owners who wanted useful local information, people to meet and more opportunities to participate in community, business and cultural life. Andre founded the network in Shenzhen in 2026; six months of initial organising led to its first gathering on 14 June.
The network welcomes residents, families, students, educators, professionals, newcomers, visitors and friends of New Zealand, alongside businesses of all sizes. Its early activities centred on Shenzhen. The wider ambition is to connect people and organisations across the GBA, developing local participation where there is interest.
By organising its own activities, NZGBA supports New Zealand community representation and showcases New Zealand culture and business interests. It is an independent grassroots organisation, rather than a government body, diplomatic mission, chamber of commerce or officially appointed representative of all New Zealanders. Its people-to-people work complements existing New Zealand official, trade and institutional channels.
After six months of planning, the first NZGBA gathering took place at Craft Head Brewing Co. in Futian, Shenzhen, on 14 June 2026. It brought together Kiwis, New Zealand-connected professionals, business owners and friends of New Zealand.
NZGBA Network met with the Shenzhen Cross-Border E-Commerce Association to discuss cross-border eCommerce, New Zealand-GBA business connections and possible future exchange.
NZGBA volunteered in the New Zealand Culture session of the Hello APEC Shekou Summer Camp on 23 July 2026. The session introduced New Zealand culture to local and international children aged 6-12 through community and cultural exchange.
NZGBA's founder spoke to visiting University of Auckland MBA students about Shenzhen, entrepreneurship, the Greater Bay Area and New Zealand connections in southern China.
NZGBA organised the New Zealand section of the Oceania cultural market in Shekou, with cricket activities, a haka performance, pavlova, mānuka honey, toys and wine.
Recap, video and reportsAndre (@drepreneur) founded NZGBA and coordinates the network. To date, he has personally covered all financial costs of establishing and running it and contributed hundreds of hours of unpaid work, including organising meetings and activities, developing the website and preparing materials. Volunteers have also contributed to activities. Planned membership, sponsorship and appropriate voluntary support could share this work more sustainably, allowing NZGBA to develop more consistent community, business, educational and cultural activity.
Contact NZGBAThe GBA is a manufacturing and technology base, a market for New Zealand products and services, and a place where people live, work and study. NZGBA welcomes exporters, importers, eCommerce sellers, retailers, service providers, entrepreneurs and professional organisations. China's industrial clusters and sourcing community are part of this commercial environment, alongside two-way trade and investment relationships.
Peer discussion, visiting groups and trade-fair gatherings can help people exchange industry knowledge and build regional relationships. NZGBA provides a setting for that exchange; commercial sourcing, factory auditing and freight services remain the responsibility of the businesses providing them.
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