On the afternoon of June 10th, a major cultural event was held on Parnell Street, a renowned art and tourism landmark in Auckland. The “Opening Ceremony of the New Gallery – 2026 China-New Zealand Artists Art Exchange Exhibition,” hosted by Ai International Art Gallery, attracted artists, cultural figures, and business leaders from both China and New Zealand to witness this significant milestone.
On the afternoon of June 10th, Parnell — Auckland’s celebrated arts and tourism landmark — played host to a major cultural occasion. Ai International Art Gallery hosted the grand opening of “A New Chapter Unfolds: 2026 China–New Zealand Artist Exchange Exhibition & New Branch Opening Ceremony,” bringing together figures from the arts, cultural, and business communities of both China and New Zealand to witness this milestone moment.
Guests attending the event included cultural and educational officials from the Chinese Consulate General in Auckland, the head of the Auckland Chinese Cultural Centre, representatives from the New Zealand-China Friendship Association, as well as artists, business people, and culture enthusiasts from both China and New Zealand.
Guests in attendance included the Cultural and Education Counselor from the Chinese Consulate-General in Auckland, the Director of the Auckland China Cultural Centre, representatives from the New Zealand China Friendship Society, as well as artists, business leaders, and cultural enthusiasts from both China and New Zealand.
Ms. Zhao Ling, CEO of Auckland International Art Space, delivered the opening speech.
Lou Baiqian, Cultural Consul of the Consulate General of China in Auckland, delivered a speech.
Speech by Wang Jianwen, Director of the Auckland Chinese Cultural Centre
Speech by Leeann Wahanui Peters, President of the Auckland Branch of the New Zealand China Friendship Association
Speech by Jason Lyu, Chairman of Pacific Tourism Group
New Zealand artist representative Evan Woodruff introduced his exhibited works and creative concepts.
New Zealand Maori artist Jamie Boynton shares his experiences and feelings about engaging in art exchanges with China.
Speech by Mr. Zong Yuan, Chairman & Co-founder of Auckland International Art Space
At the opening ceremony, Chinese and foreign guests reviewed the development of the Auckland International Art Space over the past decade and highly praised its positive contributions to promoting cultural and artistic exchanges between China and New Zealand. As an art platform rooted in New Zealand and oriented towards the international community, the Auckland International Art Space has always been committed to promoting the dissemination and promotion of Chinese culture and art in New Zealand, while continuously exploring new models of Sino-New Zealand art cooperation, injecting more innovation and vitality into the local art market.
At the opening ceremony, guests from China and New Zealand reflected on Ai International Art Gallery’s nearly decade-long journey and commended its significant contributions to promoting China–New Zealand cultural and artistic exchange. As an internationally oriented platform rooted in New Zealand, the gallery has remained committed to advancing the dissemination and promotion of Chinese culture and art in New Zealand, while continually exploring new models of China–New Zealand artistic collaboration and bringing fresh innovation and vitality to the local art market.
Especially against the backdrop of a constantly changing global economic environment, the Auckland International Art Space actively explores overseas markets, promotes New Zealand local artists to the international stage, and allows more outstanding works to cross national borders and reach the world, demonstrating an open, diverse, and integrated development philosophy.
Notably, amid an ever-changing global economic landscape, Ai International Art Gallery has actively expanded into overseas markets, helping local New Zealand artists step onto the international stage and enabling outstanding works to cross borders and reach a global audience — reflecting the gallery’s open, diverse, and integrative approach to development.
As one of Auckland’s oldest and most artistic neighborhoods, Parnell is not only home to numerous renowned galleries, art shops, unique restaurants, and boutique bars, but it’s also a must-visit cultural destination for international tourists and local art enthusiasts alike. Its rich artistic atmosphere and profound cultural heritage make it an important symbol of Auckland’s urban culture. It is said that former US President Clinton made a special trip to Parnell during his visit to New Zealand.
As one of Auckland’s oldest and most artistically vibrant neighborhoods, Parnell is home to numerous renowned galleries, art and design boutiques, distinctive restaurants, and boutique bars, making it a must-visit cultural destination for international visitors and local art lovers alike. Its rich artistic atmosphere and deep cultural heritage have made it a defining symbol of Auckland’s urban culture. Notably, former U.S. President Bill Clinton made a special visit to Parnell during his trip to New Zealand.
In recent years, local businesses have faced numerous challenges due to the economic environment. Against this backdrop, the Auckland International Art Space, in partnership with Pacific Cultural Tourism Group, has entered this century-old street with an innovative “art + cultural tourism” integrated development model, injecting new cultural momentum and commercial vitality into the area’s development. This initiative has received high attention and a warm welcome from the Parnell Business Council.
In recent years, the economic environment has posed considerable challenges for local businesses. Against this backdrop, Ai International Art Gallery has partnered with Pacific Tourism & Culture Group to introduce an innovative “art + cultural tourism” model to this century-old street, injecting new cultural momentum and commercial vitality into the area’s development — a move that has drawn strong attention and a warm welcome from the Parnell Business Association.
Ms. Zhao Ling, CEO of Auckland International Art Space, and Ms. Adriana Avendano Christie, General Manager of Parnell Business Association, pose for a photo.
The participating guests stated that the completion of the new art space not only provides a broader platform for Chinese and New Zealand artists to showcase their work and exchange ideas, but also offers a new practical model for the integrated development of the cultural and creative industries and high-end tourism. In the future, it is expected to become an important window connecting Chinese and New Zealand art, culture, and commerce, opening up even broader development space for artistic exchange and cooperation between the two countries.
Guests at the event noted that the new space not only provides a broader platform for showcasing and exchange between Chinese and New Zealand artists, but also offers a new practical model for the integrated development of the cultural and creative industries with high-end tourism. Looking ahead, this space is expected to become an important bridge connecting art, culture, and commerce between China and New Zealand, opening up even greater opportunities for artistic exchange and cooperation between the two countries.
Art becomes more vibrant through exchange, and culture flourishes through mutual learning.
Art flourishes through exchange, and culture thrives through mutual learning.
Event Photo Collection
