Panel Discussion

2

CPD

Charting a China course in 2025: balancing opportunity and risk

China remains vital to NZ trade, but challenges grow. Hear what directors should know to govern with foresight.

Speaker(s)
Alistair Crozier, Robert Patman
Date
12:00pm — 1:30pm, 22 October 2025
Venue
Dunedin Public Art Gallery
Location
Craigs Investment Partners Auditorium, 30 Octagon, Dunedin 9016
Price members
$40.00 incl GST
Price non-members
$60.00 incl GST

Overview

China remains New Zealand’s largest trade partner – we export more there than to the US and Australia combined, it provides 35% of our international students, and it is our third largest tourism market. Its scale, modernisation, and advanced technologies are staggering. Yet engagement with China is increasingly complex, shaped by a slowing economy, an ageing demographic, rising geopolitical tensions, and the ongoing US–China trade war. 

For directors, this raises important governance questions: how should boards weigh opportunities against risk, and how do they ensure strategy, stakeholder expectations and New Zealand’s broader relationships are kept in balance? 

Join Alistair Crozier, Executive Director of the New Zealand China Council, and local International relations expert Professor Robert Patman as they discuss the evolving NZ–China relationship, what it means for businesses in the South, and the governance considerations directors should keep in mind.  

This event is brought to you by the Otago Southland Branch in partnership with Business South. 

Alistair Crozier 

Alistair has served as Executive Director of the New Zealand China Council since March 2022.  Alistair was a New Zealand diplomat for 25 years.  He served as Second Secretary at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing (2000-01), Education Counsellor to China (2003-05) and NZ-Consul-General to Chengdu (2014-18).  He was also Deputy High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea (2007-09) and Deputy Ambassador to Viet Nam (2009-14) and has held roles in the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington.  In 2019 Alistair was Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Christchurch.  In 2020-21 he established a South Island presence for the Asia New Zealand Foundation and led its international business programme. 

Robert Patman

Robert is one of the University of Otago’s Inaugural Sesquicentennial Distinguished Chairs and a specialist in international relations. He is the Director of the Master of International Studies (MIntSt) programme. Robert has authored or edited 14 books with the most recent being a co-edited volume titled  New Zealand’s Foreign Policy under the Jacinda Ardern Government: Facing the Challenge of a Disrupted World (World Scientific Publishing, March 2024). He is currently writing a book on Rethinking the Global Impact of 9/11. Robert is an Honorary Professor of the New Zealand Defence Command and Staff College and makes regular contributions to the national and global media on international issues. He was also the winner of the New Zealand Universities’ 2024 Critic and Conscience of Society Award. 


Additional information

Should you have any dietary, mobility, cultural or other requirements, you can let us know on the registration form.

By registering for this event you are confirming that you agree to adhere to our event terms and conditions.

Branch event cancellation policy

Regrettably, registration fees cannot be refunded when cancellations are received within two working days prior to any branch event.  See our standard terms and conditions for more information.

Contact

Michelle Branford
Otago Southland Branch Manager

+64 20 4183 5664
michelle.branford@iod.org.nz

Our sponsors

The Otago Southland Branch acknowledges the generous support of

A S B

Book this event

  • Dunedin

    date
    22 Oct 2025

    Members — $40.00

    Non-members — $60.00

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