NZCTA Executive

Chair

John Cochrane

John Cochrane has been active in China since 2002. What initially started out as occasional business trips to establish sales partnerships in and around Beijing became a deep immersion in 2005 when the company John was leading took the decision to set up their own direct presence in China. John was responsible for the establishment of a successful branch office employing 14 staff in diverse roles. John led the local team to negotiate sales agreements with several large Chinese SOEs in a number of heavy industries, including power generation, mining and steel production. John was resident in Beijing for several months each year between 2005 and 2011. In 2011 the company was successfully sold to General Electric and John joined NZTE as the Trade Commissioner posted in Guangzhou from December 2011 through January 2017. The Trade Commissioner role provided John the rare opportunity to work closely in an advisory capacity with over 100 New Zealand businesses who spanned the full spectrum of success. John’s team were responsible for assisting New Zealand companies achieve $145 million dollars of new sales revenue during his time in the south. Upon his return to New Zealand John joined ATEED in Auckland, the City Council’s economic development agency, where he continued to focus on China-related matters. John is currently the Head of Group Sales at Facteon Intelligent Technology Ltd, a role that requires daily interaction with China in the advanced manufacturing sector. The combination of insights gained from John’s mix of public sector service and hands-on commercial experiences are invaluable.

Immediate Past Chair

Martin Thomson

Martin Thomson is a partner with DLA Piper in Auckland. He has over 30 years' experience advising clients on corporate and commercial law in New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Martin is a specialist in mergers & acquisitions, Overseas Investment Act & Regulations, securities law, company law, joint ventures, and commercial law & contracts. While Martin has experience advising on transactions across a broad range of sectors, he has a particular focus on advising overseas organisations including from China investing in the primary sector. This has included investments in the forestry, agriculture, dairy and meat processing and wine sectors. He regularly advises on issues arising under the Overseas Investment Act. Martin heads DLA Piper's China practice, which focuses on providing advice to organisations undertaking investments between China and New Zealand. The firm's Chinese clients have undertaken investments in the agriculture, dairy and meat processing, property development, tourism and health product sectors. Martin is the Chairman of the New Zealand China Trade Association, New Zealand’s longest-serving and largest China-related business association. NZCTA works closely with businesses and both Governments to promote trade and investment between China and New Zealand, having done so for over 40 years. Martin is also a member of the New Zealand China Council. Martin has also been actively involved in establishing DLA Piper New Zealand's relationship with global law firm DLA Piper, which has offices in all major countries including in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

Deputy Chair

Charlie Gao

Charlie Gao is a Chinese New Zealander with more than 15 years of senior management experience in the private and public sectors. He is the Group General Manager of Mastip Technology Ltd, an industry-leading designer, manufacturer, and solutions provider of hot-runner systems. The company is headquartered in Auckland with subsidiaries in the US, EU, and Asia, and distributors in more than 40 countries. Charlie was previously the Director of North Asia CAPE, a New Zealand Government-funded agency tasked with supporting local firms, professionals, and educators to succeed in Asian markets. Prior to that he was managing partner of Mahon China, one of New Zealand's longest-established investment management and corporate advisory firms focused on the Chinese market. Charlie advised the senior leadership teams of multinationals, including major New Zealand dairy, fruit & agriculture, technology, and services businesses. He also managed funds for investors that included the development finance banks of Germany, France, and the Netherlands. In this role Charlie lived in Beijing for eight years. Charlie has BSc, BA(Hons) and MA(Hons) degrees from the University of Auckland, and he speaks English and Mandarin Chinese as first languages. He has been an executive committee member of the New Zealand China Trade Association since December 2023.

Honorary Executive Life Members

Stuart Ferguson

Stuart Ferguson has since 1991 been elected to 4 terms of 2 years each to date as Chairman of the association and during that time has hosted a number of Chinese Leading Politicians, including Zhu Rong Ji, Wu Yi.

He has visited China on more than 70 occasions and been the Leader of numerous trade delegations sponsored by NZCTA.

Formerly General Manager / Director of Cosco, the Chinese National ocean carrier for many years, he is now a Director of several companies.

Rob Jeffrey

Rob Jeffrey has been involved in trade in South Asia since the late 60's and first went to China in 1988. His Company Jeffco International Ltd. has had a formal presence in China since 1994 with key interests in the Agri-business sectors. He has accompanied a number of official Trade and Business development missions to China over the last 20 years.

Executive Members

Frederik Cornu

I worked in France, Egypt and UK before moving to Japan in 1997 as Project Manager for the French Government. In 1999 I joined Suez as Commissioning Manager (UAE, Iran, France, China), and was then Contracts Manager for 2 years in China. I joined Artelia in 2004 as Project Manager and in 2005 was promoted Deputy General Manager, based in Shanghai. In 2006, I joined Bureau Veritas as Business Development Manager (North Asia). I was elected board member (2007-2016) of CCI France China (CCIFC) and lead its Environment Working Group. I was elected board member (2012-2016) of European Union Chamber of Commerce in China (EUCCC) and Chair of its Environment Working Group (2009-2016). In China for 16 years (2000-2016), I had the chance to live and work in Baotou, Baoding, Dalian, Guangzhou, Beijing, Chongqing and Shanghai, and to work for short time in many other cities. In 2016, I was appointed Director, Marketing & Sales of Bureau Veritas for Paris area, and was President of CEIBS alumni chapter in France. In 2019, I moved with my family to New Zealand to join KiwiRail, to support the delivery of $1.6B rail infrastructure projects. In 2022, I joined WSP as Market Leader, Sustainable Places. I was elected in 2020 board member of FNZCCI (French New Zealand Chamber of Commerce and Industry), launched and co-lead its “Building & Infrastructure Committee” and in 2022 its “Sustainability Committee”. I am supporting the development of Time for the Planet community in New Zealand. I joined NZCTA Executive Committee end of 2021. I am an Engineer with 2 Master’s in Civil & Structural Engineering (France, UK) and an Executive MBA (China, CEIBS). http://cn.linkedin.com/in/FrederikCornu/

Leon Fung

Leon is a successful team leader served multi-national companies in the dairy and food segment for more than 20 years, gained practical experience in different areas of commercial operation, process technology and engineering, multi million dollars CAPEX project management etc, he has in depth understanding of the dairy industry both in China and New Zealand. Being a Chinese Kiwi, Leon has great interests in building stronger business ties between the two countries, advising in capital investment, trade and market assessment, he successfully helped the establishment of Yashili New Zealand Ltd. in Pokeno also another dairy company in the recent years. Leon is currently leading Danone Nutricia NZ, previously held senior management roles in Winston Nutritional, Yashili New Zealand, Anhyro China (now is part of SPX Flow Technology), Tetra Pak China. He also worked for New Zealand Dairy Board, Kiwi Northland Dairy, Nestle China in his career. Leon holds master’s degree in dairy technology from Massey University and EMBA from Fudan University, he is in executive committee of a couple of organisations, also is active member of New Zealand Asian Leaders and Institute of Directors New Zealand.

Don Graham

Don Graham has had a strong working relationship with China for over 25 years. His company has imported over 750 containers a year of Chinese products for the NZ grocery industry. He continues to have warm relationships with 16 manufacturing companies in China and ( pre covid) Don has travelled 40 times to see his suppliers in China and also every year Don visits the Canton fair to look for more import opportunities. The major change Don has noticed over the past 10 years has been the high quality of products that are imported. Each Chinese company he works with now has maximum quality certifications, including BRC and ISO. Dons love for China is very strong, particularly working the Chinese people, understanding the unique Chinese culture, and the absolutely delicious wide range of Chinese food. Don believes in total commitment with any organisation he belongs with and he looks forward very much to working with the NZCTA Executive once again.

Henry Li

Henry Li graduated from University of Auckland in 2005 major in Accounting and Finance, after that returned back to China. Henry’s whole professional life is in the banking field for trading and investment related activities. He started with Austrian Bank RBI as a commodity banker servicing international trading houses, and then joined ANZ in 2010 with strong focus on Food, Beverage and Agriculture industries and Chinese overseas investment into Australia, New Zealand and Pacific countries. Currently in ANZ, Henry is the virtual China Desk in Transaction Banking and Institutional Banking but also services New Zealand and multinational companies that have a strong Asian footprint. Henry’s aim is to contribute his knowledge to support New Zealand and Chinese companies who want to build relationship and do business with each other. Henry used to love travelling (has been to over 40 countries), but now enjoys more being a gardener.

Michelle MacWilliam

Michelle MacWilliam is a versatile and capable woman. A specialist in the areas of developing business relationships, particularly in the local domestic market and between New Zealand and China, she is experienced in strategic planning, executing events, and project management and in building long-term relationships across cultures. Michelle has multiple business entities such as Michelle Mac-business strategist and Retail Selling Ltd that support businesses to develop and Omni-channel relationship with clients. She is the director of Duo Communication Ltd, a company committed to facilitating long-term business relationships between China/Asia and New Zealand as well as being part of the Hampton Venture Partners Asia engagement team. Michelle is respected both within New Zealand and Chinese business communities for her contributions in this area. Michelle aside from being on the executive committee of the New Zealand China Trade Association, she is the appointed secretary for the Christchurch Business Club, vice chair for the Christchurch -China Sister Cities Committee and vice chair for Canterbury Branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Society. She also sits on the board of governance for West Christchurch Woman’s Refuge. In 2014 she was an acknowledged finalist in the North Canterbury Business Awards Professional Service Award and a finalist in Women Of Influence Finalist 2014 in the local and regional category. Michelle is committed to raising the awareness of both the opportunities and challenges for small to medium-sized businesses in the advancement of the Sino - New Zealand relationship based in a broader understanding of the implications of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Angela Meng-Yee

Angela Meng-Yee is a Mergers and Acquisitions Advisor. She has advised, and helped many small, medium, and large companies maximise new business and investment opportunities across a host of industries. One highlight was leading an initiative to build out long-term cross-border investment deals with an international real estate company. Angela also provides deal origination support and counsel in Asia Pacific, for a New York-based investment and advisory firm. This experience, including stints in London, Hong Kong, Beijing, Southeast Asia, and New Zealand, has enabled her to build a wide network of investor contacts (HNWIs and Institutional). Combining entrepreneurial flair and a passion for business, Angela has a proven track record of delivering positive results for clients, within budget and time deadlines. Another major interest area is the promotion of increased trade and investment ties between New Zealand and Asia (in particular, China). Angela is a current executive board member of the New Zealand China Trade Association. She believes “the skies the limit” when it comes to new Sino-Kiwi business opportunities, and was chairperson, and a member of the awards team, for the NZCTA 2011 Trade Awards. In 2012, she helped secure a major new sponsor for the NZCTA, and played a key role in establishing closer ties with the Shanghai Entrepreneur Association in 2013. This relationship quickly grew from strength to strength and led to the signing of a historic MOU between the two associations in 2014. Angela also helped develop and launch the NZCTA Young Associates in late 2013. The goal of the NZCTA Young Associates group is to build closer business, academic and cultural ties between young people in both countries.

Luke Qin

Luke Qin leads Kiwibank’s international trade strategy and market offering. He currently serves on the board of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Transparency International New Zealand, and New Zealand China Council. He is a member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Leadership Network, Auckland City Council Demographic Advisory Panel, Ministry for Ethnic Communities Development Fund Panel, and Australia New Zealand Leadership Forum Emerging Leaders Programme. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Canterbury, Master of Applied Finance from Victoria University of Wellington, and qualifications in Sustainable Finance, Te Reo Māori, Medical Co-Response, Citizen Diplomacy, and Urban Fire & Rescue. Luke initiated our 50over50 project to help celebrate Chinese and New Zealand businesses modelling the New Zealand-China trade relationship over the past 5 decades, and provide a bilingual reference for future students, researchers and entrepreneurs to help take the relationship forward.

Amy Xu

Amy currently works as a Tax Director in an international accounting firm in Auckland. She has extensive experience in providing tax advisory and compliance services to a diverse range of domestic clients and multinational enterprises in the property/real estate, healthcare, consumer products, technology and financial services sectors. Amy was born and grew up in mainland China and came to New Zealand in 2001. She graduated from the University of Auckland with a LLB/BCom conjoint degree in 2007 and was admitted to the bar as a Barrister and Solicitor of High Court of Auckland in 2008. Amy has been a dedicated member in the Chinese business community in Auckland, actively involved in various business events and assisted a number of Chinese clients doing business and making investments in New Zealand.

Yan Zhang

Yan Zhang is Investment Specialist at ATEED – Auckland Tourism, Events & Economic Development, an Auckland City Council Controlled Organization. She was Partner, New Zealand and Australia with Crowe Horwath, and Director with KPMG NZ, helping Asian businesses in their cross border investments. With over 20 years’ experience in international business, Yan worked with both New Zealand and Australian government agencies (NZTE and AUSTRADE) and the Auckland Chamber of Commerce. Through international bidding projects Yan has the project management and delivery experience in industries such as heavy machinery and hi-tech products, ship fabrication, complete plant and technology transfer. She has helped businesses across both Australia and New Zealand win success in doing business with overseas countries including China, and consumer products sector including food and beverage and apparel was also her focus of advisory services particularly in optimizing market structure and revenue/profit. Having been a member of the senior management team of a major Chinese multi - national company, Yan has the practical experience in cross border investment strategic planning and management, and international trading project management with South East Asian countries, South Africa, Nigeria, the USA, Chile, Germany, the Netherlands, Australia, and New Zealand. She was accredited by the Chinese government the prestigious life time senior professional title in international commerce as based on the practical and academic achievements. Yan was also one of the major negotiators in the discussion of a joint venture with a major German company.

Alex Zhang

Alex Zhang is CEO at Chance Immigration and Education, an agency recognized by Education New Zealand (ENZ) and regulated by New Zealand Immigration Advisers Authority (IAA). Alex has been a licensed Immigration Adviser since 2010 and specialises in providing immigration and education advice to clients and international students both onshore and offshore. Prior to this, he had worked at senior management level in different private training establishments offering courses to international students. Apart from his own business, Alex has also been actively involved in promoting business and cultural exchanges between New Zealand and China. Alex currently serves as Executive President at Canton Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand. He is also Board Member of Employers & Manufacturers Association (EMA) and Auckland Business Chamber Asian Business Advisory Board. Alex completed his Bachelor of Arts in China and MBA at Massey University in 2004.

Ex Officio - New Zealand Trade and Enterprise

Jane Liu

Jane is NZTE’s International Market Manager, based in Auckland, responsible for China. She has in depth knowledge of general business etiquette while dealing with China, the inside workings of Chinese companies and business practices and a strong understanding of cultural differences between China and New Zealand.

Ex Officio - New Zealand China Council

Alistair Crozier

Alistair has been involved in the NZ-China relationship for over 20 years. Most recently he established and led the New Zealand Consulate-General in Chengdu from 2014-18, advancing NZ business and other engagement across Southwest China. Alistair also served as New Zealand's first education counsellor to China in 2003-05, and as second secretary at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing in 2000-01. He also served as New Zealand Deputy Ambassador to Viet Nam (2009-14) and Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea (2007-09). In 2019 Alistair returned home to Christchurch, where he served for a year as director of the mayor's office. Alistair is currently South Island Establishment Manager for the Asia New Zealand Foundation. He is a member of the Christchurch-China sister city committee, and a member of the advisory board of Global China Connect at the University of Canterbury. Alistair holds a first class honours degree in law and a BA from the University of Canterbury. He is a fluent Chinese speaker.

Executive Director

Jeff Shepherd

Jeff has over 25 year’s experience offshore focusing on business development in the Asia region. He has worked in both the private and public sector including Trade Commissioner postings with New Zealand Trade & Enterprise to Korea, Malaysia, Japan and China (Shanghai) the latter during the signing of the FTA with China, the Shanghai World Expo and the establishment of New Zealand Central. Private sector roles with some of New Zealand’s largest companies have seen him work extensively in Vietnam, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Taiwan as well as again Korea and China. Jeff is also the founder and Co-Director of Globalink Internships – an enterprise delivering work based internships in various Asian locations for students and professionals.