This content was produced by Gambol and is being published by the New Zealand Herald as advertorial.
The China (Shandong)–New Zealand Economic and Trade Co-operation Symposium was successfully held on November 24 at Skycity Weta Unleashed Workshop in Auckland. Led by Shandong Governor Zhou Naixiang, the Chinese delegation joined New Zealand government, business, and creative-industry leaders to witness several major co-operation milestones, among which Gambol Pet Group’s RMB 950 million high-end pet food manufacturing project in New Zealand stood out as a key highlight.
Gambol, one of China’s largest pet food enterprises, recorded RMB 5.24 billion in revenue last year and nearly 30% growth from January to September this year. Its New Zealand project spans 48,000sq m of land and 50,000sq m of building area, featuring premium production lines for dry food, treats, and nutritional products, fully integrating Gambol’s proprietary technologies and R&D capabilities. Leveraging New Zealand’s world-renowned natural raw materials and the China–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, the plant will supply China’s fast-growing premium pet food market while strengthening Gambol’s global competitiveness. The project is expected to create over 400 local jobs and promote the deep processing and value-added utilisation of New Zealand agricultural resources.
The symposium gathered one of the highest-level lineups in recent years. The Chinese delegation included Governor Zhou Naixiang; Wang Lei, Director-General of the Shandong Department of Commerce; Sun Aijun, Director-General of the Shandong Development and Reform Commission; and municipal leaders from Weifang, Dezhou, and Jinan. New Zealand attendees included Hon Scott Simpson, Minister of Commerce and Consumer Affairs; Hon Shane Jones, Minister for Resources; Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown; Rt Hon Chris Hipkins, Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister; and Chinese Ambassador Wang Xiaolong. Industry leaders from Zespri, Fonterra, NZTE, the New Zealand China Council, Wētā Workshop, and major business associations also participated, underscoring the event’s strategic importance.
The symposium opened with a traditional Māori pōwhiri ceremony. Wētā Workshop Co-founder and five-time Academy Award winner Sir Richard Taylor then welcomed Governor Zhou, Gambol Chairman Qin Hua, and Beauty Lab Collective Managing Director Li Lu on stage to view his Oscar statuette, sharing insights into Wētā’s creative philosophy and symbolising growing cultural and technological exchange.
In front of leaders from both nations, the four representatives jointly unveiled Gambol’s New Zealand Project IP sculpture, marking a milestone that elevated the investment from high-end manufacturing to international creative expression.
Following the unveiling, Wang Lei chaired the China (Shandong)–New Zealand Economic and Trade Co-operation Dialogue, during which representatives from both sides discussed premium food manufacturing, agricultural and fisheries value-chain extension, cross-border supply chains, and technological and creative innovation. Multiple co-operation intentions were reached.
Gambol Chairman Qin Hua highlighted the company’s global innovation progress and the strategic significance of the New Zealand project, expressing confidence in deeper collaboration between the two countries in high-end manufacturing, supply chain integration, and brand development.
With the commencement of Gambol’s New Zealand project and strengthened bilateral co-operation, China and New Zealand are poised to expand collaboration across premium food manufacturing, high-value agriculture, supply chain innovation, creative industries, education, and technology. Both sides affirmed that the symposium marks a new starting point for broader, higher-level, and mutually beneficial economic engagement.