With long ties to Ningbo, Auckland mayor says he gains fresh insights on every China visit

Wayne Brown, mayor of Auckland, New Zealand, said he learns something new each time he visits China, speaking during the 2026 Global Mayors Dialogue·Ningbo, which runs Monday through Thursday in the eastern Chinese city.

Brown described trying paddleboarding in the city. The striking contrast between Ningbo’s urban lakeside scenery and the quiet lakes back home gave him insights into differences in urban governance between Auckland and Ningbo, he said. Brown noted the long-standing friendly cooperation between the two cities. Gatherings of mayors to discuss solutions, roll out policies and set rules that benefit people can remind governments to keep the people’s interests at heart, he said. “I’ve been heartened that most of your leaders, when they speak, they remind us that they’re here for the people.”

Brown added that China-New Zealand friendship exists at both national and city levels. Auckland has a long bond with Ningbo and an even longer connection with Guangzhou in Guangdong province. Hundreds of thousands of people of Chinese descent live in Auckland. Brown is a frequent visitor to China. “I learn something new every time I come to China,” he said.