Queen City Law recently had the privilege of travelling to Hong Kong and Shenzhen, strengthening connections between New Zealand, Hong Kong and China and sharing our expertise with international legal and business communities.

As a leading boutique law firm in New Zealand, we are proud to take our knowledge and experience beyond our borders. The trip provided Marcus Beveridge, Tom Huang, Yolanda Chen and Dr Li with an opportunity to engage directly with lawyers, investors, fund managers, government representatives, business leaders and other professional’s active or interested in New Zealand.

Exploring New Zealand’s Legal and Investment Landscape

A key highlight of the trip was the inaugural Solicitors and Consuls MeetUp Series – Exploring Opportunities for Legal, Trade and Investment in New Zealand, hosted by the Law Society of Hong Kong.

The event brought together more than 300 practising lawyers, creating an important platform for discussion around New Zealand’s legal, trade and investment environment.

QCL Managing Director Marcus Beveridge was a key speaker at the event, joining distinguished speakers including Mr Peter Lund, Consul-General of New Zealand to Hong Kong and Macau, and Mr David C. Whitwam, Chairman of the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong. The session was moderated by Mr Fred Kan, Chairman of the Committee on Trade, Investment and Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership of The Law Society of Hong Kong.

Marcus spoke about New Zealand’s legal landscape and the opportunities available to international investors and businesses, covering areas including establishing a business in New Zealand, Overseas Investment Office requirements, property and land, employment, taxation, Māori interests and regulatory compliance.

He also discussed New Zealand’s Active Investor Plus (AIP) programme, highlighting the opportunities available to international investors looking to establish connections with New Zealand and this was the topic that created the most interaction with Hong Kong lawyers.

The presentation provided an opportunity to share insight into what international investors should consider before entering the New Zealand market and the importance of obtaining local legal advice early in the process.

Connecting with Business Leaders in Hong Kong and Shenzhen

Beyond the formal speaking engagements, the trip provided QCL with the opportunity to meet with a wide range of professionals across Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

The team met with some of the largest QCL clients, leading fund managers, Chinese government agencies and representatives of the New Zealand–Hong Kong business community, creating opportunities to exchange perspectives on investment, business development and the growing connections between the two markets.

For QCL, these conversations were particularly valuable in understanding the priorities of international businesses and investors considering New Zealand, while also strengthening relationships with professionals who can help facilitate cross-border opportunities.

Tom in Hong Kong and Shenzhen

Tom and Marcus also played an important role throughout the trip, presenting at one of China's prominent business schools in both Hong Kong and Shenzhen.

These engagements provided an opportunity to discuss New Zealand as a destination for business and investment while connecting with senior business leaders, professionals and members of the wider business community.

For a New Zealand law firm, opportunities such as these allow QCL to share their expertise and proven track record on the New Zealand market and the legal framework that international businesses need to navigate when establishing or expanding their operations.

After many decades of assisting major offshore investors with their New Zealand based endeavours, the firm has developed excellent intelligence and learned a trick or two.

The Belt and Road Summit

Yolanda, and Tom also attended the Belt and Road Summit in Hong Kong, joining thousands of delegates from around the world.

The Summit provided another valuable opportunity to connect with international businesses and explore the relationships and opportunities emerging across the region.

With thousands of participants attending, the event offered a unique environment for QCL to build new relationships, exchange ideas and further understand the international investment landscape.

Strengthening New Zealand–Asia Connections

The trip was about more than individual events. It was an opportunity for QCL to fortify existing relationships and continue building bridges between New Zealand, Hong Kong, China and Shenzhen which is meant to become the New York of the Greater Bay Area and APEC looms, and the future is looking bright.

For businesses and investors considering New Zealand, having access to local knowledge and trusted legal advice can be an important part of navigating the market.

QCL’s international engagement allows us to better understand the needs of those businesses while continuing to showcase the opportunities available in New Zealand.

The AIP arena is undergoing constant upgrades and strategic planning, and proven experience is critical in this burgeoning space.

As a boutique New Zealand law firm with expertise across property, commercial law, foreign investment and immigration, QCL is proud to contribute to these conversations and to support clients navigating cross-border opportunities. The firm’s focus is very much on adding bottom line value.

We are grateful to everyone who welcomed our team during our time in Hong Kong and Shenzhen and to those who took the time to connect with us, share their perspectives and explore opportunities for collaboration.