New Zealand sees ties with Asia as vital, survey shows

New Zealand is recalibrating its place in the world amid increasing geopolitical uncertainties, with Asia at the center of how people in the Pacific nation see their country's future, a new survey shows.

Within Asia, China is deemed the most important for New Zealand's future. Also, for the first time in a decade, China has overtaken the United States in favorability ratings among New Zealanders, according to the survey.

The findings come from the latest New Zealanders' Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples Survey, released by the Asia New Zealand Foundation last week. Conducted from January to February, the survey collected responses from 2,300 New Zealanders aged 15 and above.

Julia Macdonald, the foundation's research and engagement director, told China Daily that the report showed that "Asia continues to be seen as very important to New Zealand's future, and China is seen as the most important country to New Zealand's future".

The survey shows that China ranked first by a considerable margin in perceptions of the importance of Asian countries to New Zealand's future. A total of 81 percent of respondents said China was important or very important, with 51 percent rating it as very important.

Macdonald said trade remained a key driver of China's perceived importance to New Zealand, while education, research, tourism and cultural exchange offer strong potential to deepen understanding beyond trade.

"These are areas that help build people-to-people connections and create opportunities for people in both countries (or regions) … to learn from one another," she said.

Cooperation spheres

Macdonald said the cooperation spheres will help "promote a more informed and nuanced understanding of a relationship that will continue to be important to New Zealand's future".

The survey has been conducted for 29 consecutive years, making it the longest-running data series on how New Zealand views its most important economic neighborhood, according to the foundation.

Suzannah Jessep, chief executive of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, said the latest survey brought encouraging news in regard to New Zealand's relationship with Asia.

Jessep said that since 1997, the survey has tracked public perceptions and understanding of Asia, and the findings showed "a positive correlation" between New Zealanders' understanding of Asia and "having confidence to engage and invest in the region".

Looking ahead, New Zealanders were most optimistic about Asia's impact on technology, tourism and trade relations.

More than four in five respondents expected technology and innovation in Asia and inbound tourism from the region to benefit New Zealand, while around three-quarters saw positive impacts from Asia's economic growth and investment.

Respondents also wanted more Asian investment in science and technology, followed by healthcare and biotechnology, and infrastructure and transport.

"These findings show New Zealanders' connections with Asia go beyond politics and economics. They are also cultural, personal and part of everyday life," Jessep told China Daily.

The survey report noted that when asked what they thought of when they heard the word "Asia", New Zealanders named "China" as their top association for the seventh year in a row, followed by food and travel, among others.

The Chinese mainland remained the most popular Asian destination for New Zealand travelers.

The survey also found that New Zealanders were more likely to view China as a friend than the US. A friendly country was defined as one that respondents viewed as "safe and trustworthy".

xinxin@chinadaily.com.cn