Next Branch Meeting
Wednesday, 19 July 2017 at 5:45pm
Jenny Chu and Tom Wollerman
will speak on
THE NZCFS ENGINEERS CHINA TOUR
Come and listen to Jenny and Tom, delegates of the “NZCFS Engineering Delegation to China 2017: Ancient and Modern Wonders” engineers tour, report back on this 10 day visit to Beijing, Chengdu and Shanghai. They will be sharing their learnings on transport, energy, smart land development as well as the similarities, differences and synergies in the engineering sector between Chinese and NZ markets.
Jenny has a BE/LLB (Hons) from the University of Auckland and has grown her experience through various engineering and project management roles on New Zealand major transport infrastructure and development projects. She is currently a Construction Project Manager at Auckland Transport City Rail Link project. Jenny lived in Shanghai in 2010 as part of the official New Zealand government team at the World Expo 2010 and subsequently worked on commercialisation and intellectual property projects with a number of Chinese firms and international enterprises from Asia and Europe. Since returning to New Zealand Jenny has continued to develop her experience and connections with Asia as a member of the Asia New Zealand Foundation and the New Zealand China Friendship Society.
Tom is a Transmission Line Engineer at Transpower New Zealand. Tom has a BE(Hons) in mechanical engineering from the University of Canterbury and has worked as a graduate transmission line engineer for Transpower, New Zealand’s national grid company, for two years. During his time as a graduate with Transpower Tom has been rotated through the company giving him a broad understanding of Transpower’s business as well as the wider electricity industry in New Zealand. Tom has also had six months’ of hands on construction experience with Transpower’s contractors on a range of transmission line projects around New Zealand with a further 3 months’ experience with one of Transpower’s engineering consultants. Tom has completed postgraduate transmission line engineering courses from the Queensland University of Technology and won the people’s choice award for his presentation at the 2016 EEA APEX Summit. You can read more about the delegation’s experiences here.
Connolly Hall
Guildford Terrace, off Hill Street, Thorndon, Wellington (see map)
(Car park up Guildford Terrace beside Connolly Hall)
An optional Chinese buffet meal, supplied by KC Café, will follow the meeting at 7pm. Please email the Secretary [email protected] in advance or book on Eventbrite before 19 July, if you wish to join us for the $13 meal. Payment for the meal can be made in advance to our ANZ bank account 11-7200-0080836-11 (please use your name as the reference) or pay cash at the door.
FUTURE MEETING DATES FOR 2017
Wednesdays 16 August, 20 September, 18 October and 15 November (last meeting of 2017).
NEW MEMBERS
NZCFS extends a warm welcome to Hiromi and Miko Morris as well as John Beijen. We hope to see you all at our future meetings.
SUBSCRIPTION RENEWAL REMINDER
Please remember that 2017 membership subscriptions renewals are now due. Please renew if you have not already done so – download form here
CATCHING UP WITH WESTERN CHINA: NEW ZEALAND’S NEWEST DIPLOMATIC CHALLENGE
On 15 June, the Wellington Branch of NZCFS hosted New Zealand Consul-General to West China, Alistair Crozier, in conjunction with the New Zealand China Trade Association, New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre, and the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs Wellington Branch.
Alistair spoke of New Zealand’s Consulate-General opening in Chengdu, 2014 and the enormous progress that has been made since that date both in Sichuan and beyond. Alistair also acknowledged the past history shared between New Zealand and Sichuan; notably the route of Rewi Alley moving through the province on route to his further endeavours, and the significant cultural connection shared between the area and Bill Willmott, former President of the NZCFS, and a life member of the same.
Alistair is himself a career diplomat, having previously held postings in Beijing, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam to complement his extensive foreign affairs experience in Wellington, where he has been involved with UN, Commonwealth, North Asia and Pacific issues.
Alistair highlighted the importance of direct flights now available between Auckland and Chengdu allowing greater people flow to Western China’s emerging markets and blossoming tourist industry. These growth trends are what prompted New Zealand’s establishment of a new Consulate-General in the region, with the goal of bolstering a broader foreign policy goal of increasing New Zealand – China bilateral trade to a value of $30 Billion, a goal that many hoped could be advanced in part through diplomatic expansion.
Further, Alistair pointed to the idea that Western China has gained national preference for development within China, crucially as part of the burgeoning ‘One Belt, One Road’ policy. This emphasis on development also suggested that the tiered gaps between Chinese cities were closing, especially in the context of an East-West divide.
Alistair then closed by reinforcing the significant cultural connections between the region and New Zealand, noting the sister-city relationship between Chengdu and Hamilton, and the educational relationship between Sichuan and Christchurch-Canterbury. With regards to these he further highlighted the mutually beneficial nature of combing Kiwi ingenuity, with Chinese technical expertise to create a polished end product. He identified an example of such as that between Zigong lantern manufacturers and the Asia New Zealand Foundation, the latter working with authentic lantern manufacturers in Zigong to bring their product to New Zealand, giving rise to profitable business ventures and significant cultural connections.
Sam Macintosh
WELLINGTON CHINESE GARDEN SOCIETY FUNDRAISING BANQUET – 29 JULY 2017, 6PM
The Garden is to symbolise and to celebrate the contribution of the Chinese people to New Zealand since their arrival in the 1800s.
This Banquet dinner is being held to publicise, raise the awareness of and to raise funds for this project. The Society will also update you on progress to date. All Chinese Garden supporters are called to buy tickets for this function. Come to the Banquet to learn more about the Garden and how you can help. You can show your support for this important project by making a donation or pledge.
NZCFS Wellington branch is a founding member of the Society.
Where: Grand Century Chinese Restaurant, 84 Tory St. Price: $50 per person / $500 per table of ten.
Committee member Robert Lau is selling tickets. Contact him on +64 27 4323486. Alternatively, email [email protected]
“CHINESE ACUPUNCTURE” – HEIKO LADE AND HELEN GAO
Our June talk was given by Heiko Lade, with assistance from Helen Gao. Heiko Lade has been a practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine for over 30 years, having done a master’s degree in Sydney. He also lived and worked in Hangzhou, China in 1984. While in Australia, he worked for many years in Sydney’s Chinatown before moving to New Zealand in 1999. Since moving to New Zealand, he has taught acupuncture and Chinese herbs at colleges in Christchurch and Auckland and now resides in Hawkes Bay where he has a weekly radio show “Acupuncture on Air” on 104.7FM. Helen Gao has recently moved from Chengdu and now practises acupuncture in Wellington, specialising in paediatrics and women’s health.
Heiko began his talk with a brief history of acupuncture. He explained that the first known book on the subject was written about 300 B.C., but there are inscriptions on tortoise shells that indicate it has a much earlier beginning. There are different theories of its origin (e.g. trial and error, meditation) but prior to the first written references, the knowledge seems to have been passed on through family ties.
He then moved on to describing the theory behind acupuncture. The idea is that all the major organs in the body are on channels or energy lines that start at the finger tips and end in the toes. Each channel has a set of acupuncture points that act as openings to energy from the outside world. If these openings become blocked, energy flow through the channels is interrupted, and the organs the channel services don’t get the energy they need. If the blockage is minor, the body can handle the problem itself, but in more serious cases, the symptoms can be more severe. When an acupuncturist sees a patient, they will try to identify the cause of the problem by questioning and observation. Two important methods of observation are examining the patient’s tongue and feeling their pulse in different parts of the body. After making their diagnosis, the acupuncturist then selects the points to be “unblocked” by inserting acupuncture needles. The selection is based on the acupuncturist’s experience, and the knowledge that certain points are associated with certain conditions.
Heiko addressed the issue of whether or not acupuncture is scientific. He cited some studies that prove the existence of channels, and that acupuncture has been found to cause the release of endorphins by the brain. However, it is difficult to assess the effectiveness of acupuncture using the methods that are normally expected for western medicine. For instance, in the double-blind test commonly used to assess new treatments, neither the patients nor the doctors administering the treatment are supposed to know which patient receives the real treatment and which receives the placebo. The difficulties of carrying this out for treatment with acupuncture are obvious. However, in Heiko’s opinion there are not only proven benefits from acupuncture, it is also cheaper for treating conditions than most courses of medication. He concluded his talk by explaining how acupuncture is not regulated in New Zealand, but there is a New Zealand Register of Acupuncturists, with 800 members as of 2017.
Helen then carried out a demonstration of acupuncture on a volunteer, while Heiko explained what was going on. The point selected was below the knee, associated with the stomach. It is traditionally known as the “Three Mile Point”, because monks in Ancient China used to select it to give them energy when they were on the road. Nowadays, it is often used by marathon runners to improve their performance. The talk concluded with questions from the floor on electrical acupuncture, where the needles supply a slight electrical current to the point, how the Chinese name for acupuncture (Jing Yu) is derived, and cupping, which is a method of using cups to apply massage internally to the body.
Gerard Coyle
NZCFS HANDCRAFTS TOUR OF CHINA – APRIL 9-28, 2018
The visit of three women’s handcraft cooperative leaders from NW China to Christchurch, Nelson, Palmerston North, Rotorua and Auckland in November, 2015, sparked a lot of interest among those who met them. The tour was a huge success, and those involved quickly realised the potential there was for a craft tour group from here to China.
Handcraft cooperatives and workshops visited throughout the journey will include embroidery, weaving, clay figurines, farmers’ painting (folk art), cloisonné, tie-dying, Dongba characters (ancient ‘hieroglyphic’ writing), paper cutting, straw pictures … and the chance to do some hands-on craft work.
Meet the craft workers themselves and look at various aspects of their industry from traditional styles to new product development, from training and production through to marketing.
Fully escorted, 3 to 4-star, twin-share accommodation. All inclusive price $7,950 (estimated, subject to currency exchange), includes domestic flights in NZ, all meals, etc, (excludes Chinese visa and insurances).
For expressions of interest and any enquiries, please contact [email protected]. See itinerary
HOTPOT NIGHT AT PEKING HOUSE
Students and young professionals poured into Peking House on a chilly winter’s night, for the inaugural networking dinner co-hosted by NZCFS Wellington and Future Dragonz Wellington. The four tables were packed, as attendees shared stories over Beijing-style hotpot (and wine supplied by NZCFS Wellington). The hotpot night was our first co-
hosted youth event of the year, held on 7 July. We also had the young at heart in attendance. Dave Bromwich (NZCFS National President) and Steven Young (Wellington Chinese Association President) were special guests.
Thanks to Dan Joe, Eva Lu, Barnabas Soon and Diana Tam for coordinating the event. Also, a big thank you to all who came for making it an enjoyable night, and we look forward to seeing you again soon.
NZCFS Wellington Youth and Future Dragonz Wellington are working closely together this year to bring you an exciting program of social and networking events. ‘Check out Future Dragonz Wellington and NZCFS on Facebook for more photos and to keep up to date.’
FUTURE DRAGONZ PRESENTS: WINTER FEST
Whether you’re a snowaholic or touching snow for the first time, join Future Dragonz for a great time with friends and meet new people. Future Dragonz is bringing you a weekend packed with fun, feast and friends from both Future Dragonz Auckland and Wellington branches. Grab your bag and head to the beautiful Turoa Ski Field.
Date: Departing from Wellington on Friday 4th August at 2pm, returning to Wellington on Sunday 6th August at 8pm. Meeting Venue: Wellington Train Station, Pipitea, Wellington. Fee: Package starts from $350, additional add-on of $40 if anyone wishes to go to the Rockgarden course before 12:30pm.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/321270664996679/
2017 AFFECTIONATE CHINA, OCEANIC PERFORMANCES – WELLINGTON Sunday, August 6 at 2pm
Zhejiang Xiao Baihua Yue Opera Troupe’s “2017 Affectionate China, Oceanic Performances-Wellington” will be held on August 6 at Memorial Theater of the Victoria University of Wellington, organized by the China Federation of Returned Overseas Chinese, in association with New Zealand Wellington Association For Promoting Reunification Of China Inc.
Local audiences will have a great and rare chance to have the first-hand experiences of watching high-end Yue Opera from first-class artists from China, which is considered as the queen of Chinese drama.
Location: Memorial Theater, Student Union Building, Kelburn Parade, Kelburn, Wellington; Ticket booking: $20 each or Group booking: $ 15 each (more than 10 people), (under 6s free). Contact Kevin Zeng 021 669628 or Hejun Gao 021 1350433 for more information.
TOWARD A YIN-YANG PERSPECTIVE OF RELATIONAL (GUANXI) GATEKEEPING IN CHINA
Rutherford House, RHMZ03, Mezzanine Floor, Victoria University, Thursday 27 July, 5-6pm
Dr Hongzhi Gao is Senior Lecturer in the School of Marketing and International Business at Victoria University and a Senior Fellow at the New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre. Before coming to New Zealand, Dr Gao was chief analyst of foreign loans and risk management for Jilin Provincial Government in China. He was responsible for a number of international projects funded by the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank and governments of different countries. Dr Gao received a New Zealand Postgraduate Study Abroad Award in 2005 and the Early Career Researcher award from the Marketing Department of Otago University in 2007. He was the recipient of the Emerging Researcher Grant from the Asia New Zealand Foundation in 2008.
In this seminar, Dr Gao will present a study on China’s extremely complex and ‘insider-controlled’ market for foreign businesses. This study investigates how Western companies engage with local market insiders through relational gatekeepers. In-depth interviews were conducted with 40 Chinese and Western business managers based in China, Australia and New Zealand. Guided by the Yin-Yang balancing logic, the authors developed four key constructs in gatekeeping. These constructs are: (1) insider personal (guanxi) power and outsider organizational power that coexist as gatekeeping antecedents; (2) gatekeeper resources of status (Mianzi) and favours (Renqing) and gatekeeper capabilities of balancing favourable with unfavourable network momentums (Ying Shi vs. Zao Shi); these are two key process constructs. The Yin-Yang balancing logic adds an important new dimension to the understandings of business relationships in international business. Both the holistic nature of the insider-outsider business relationship and the balancing function of relational gatekeepers are clearly established in this study. The study finally offers managerial implications for an international company to engage a relational gatekeeper strategy to break into guanxi-controlled local business networks and manage the levels of embeddedness in the local networked market.
If you are interested to attend this seminar, please email Lai Ching at [email protected] or call 04 463 9549 to register.
NZCA AUCKLAND YOUTH LEADERSHIP CAMP – 14 – 17 DECEMBER 2017
Following the highly successful Youth Leadership Camps in 2011, 2013 and 2015 – New Zealand Chinese Association is hosting a fourth camp on 14-17 December 2017 at Camp Adair, Hunua.
This is a great opportunity for High School students of Chinese Descent in Year 11 (Form 5) to Year 13 (Form 7). The camp offers a comprehensive leadership, cultural and team building experience for Chinese students from across our community, with the added energy and enthusiasm of Albert King (inspiration and leadership motivation consultant based in Singapore).
There will be great interaction over the weekend with key speakers from a diverse cross section of leaders across our community, whilst alumni facilitators will motivate a versatile outdoor and cultural programme. The activities cover confidence courses, Chinese calligraphy, Chinese traditional dance, career booth rotations and much more to ensure an intensive and fulfilling programme for all participants.
The benefits will translate into the participants becoming more confident and capable young leaders within our community and beyond. The camp provides a stepping stone to other NZCA leadership initiatives, being the Leadership and Development Conference (for ages 18 – 30) and the social business networking forum – Future Dragonz.
Please spread the word to your family, friends, sons, daughters and wider network – and register now!
Registration opens 8 July 2017 at http://nzcaylc.weebly.com/register.html and close Sunday 15th October. For any queries – please contact: [email protected]
The full PDF version of this newsletter is available at Wellington Branch July 2017 Newsletter
NZCFS Wellington Branch – celebrating 60 years of promoting friendship, understanding and goodwill between the peoples of New Zealand and China
