Forging a relationship with Chinese business

In late March, Business Woman of the Year Mavis Mullins was a guest at the banquet to welcome the Chinese Premier in Auckland.

It was a very large occasion, Mavis says. She downplayed her presence there as “just someone who has done business with Chinese both foreign and local over the years”.

She did not get to meet the Premier but enjoyed the night with Chinese friends and business associates of long standing in New Zealand.

She says she has found doing business with Chinese interests a very rewarding affair.

“If you can forge a cultural relationship business is much easier,” she says.

“They relate well to the way Maori do business. They have an intergenerational focus.”

Her relationship with the Chinese developed when she was appointed to the board of telco 2Degrees and then her interests in the agricultural sector by promoting the sale of red meat to Chinese restaurants.

She has also developed business investment in sheep milk in the central North Island.

One of Mavis’ passions is helping train young New Zealanders in agriculture. Through her connections with Taratahi Agricultural Training Centre she has helped forge a deal with Shanghai Pengxin to develop a dairy academy near Taupo using some of its former Crafar farms to train students to level 5 and 6 diplomas.

She is aware of concerns about Chinese investment in New Zealand and says Chinese are looking after their own interests which she says is logical.

She says Chinese investment in infrastructure can greatly benefit New Zealand, especially tourism.

“Worry about the Chinese? I’d be more worried about Donald Trump,” she says.