Rachel Qi - (Co-Chair)

qiqi957@hotmail.com

Rachel has tertiary qualifications in business administration and management. She has been working in the education sector for over eight years, and established international partnerships for educational institutions. She is an event and Cross-cultural marketing professional, and has extensive business experience both in New Zealand and China.

Rachel has been deeply involved in many societies and organisations. She is able to develop and maintain positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, and create powerful and profitable business and cultural linkages between New Zealand and China, especially in the areas of education, investment and international trade. Rachel has excellent presentation, interpersonal, communication, cross-cultural skills. She is particularly interested in Marketing, education, business development, project management, and stakeholder communication.

David Lee(Co-Chair)

David Lee is an urban planner by profession, with extensive governance experience in both the public and private sectors. With over 25 years of service in local and central government, David has played a key role in shaping policies and delivering effective governance. Notably, he was the first elected councillor of Asian descent to serve on both the Wellington City Council and Wellington Regional Council.

David’s career includes work with the New Zealand Defence Force, Waka Kotahi - NZTA, and various local governments. His deep understanding of governmental processes, combined with his ability to build strong relationships across business, social, and community sectors, has earned him a reputation as an effective leader.

In addition to his public sector roles, David is an experienced entrepreneur and venture capitalist. Born and raised in Christchurch, he has lived in Auckland and now calls Wellington home. In his spare time, he enjoys mountain biking, sailing, golf, and DIY, remaining active and engaged in the community he serves.

Jit Cheung Ph.D. (Secretary)

I am a freelance contractor assisting businesses and organisations in their project or programme design and management, strategic research and development. I have a background in finance, social research and policy development.

John Stanley (immediate past Co-Chair)

john.3gbiz@gmail.com

John (Hoani) Stanley is an indigenous thinker, FNZIV & FPINZ , and a Co founder CANZBC in 2006. He is a long time active advocate of the Treaty of Waitangi and closer Māori / Pākehā business relationships with China. He has a voational background in urban and rural land economics as a registered valuer and an ex-property advisor of CBRE. His interests and skills include facilitating complex cross cultural relationships between people to establish sustainable businesses, in areas of: food production, education, green technology, tourism local / national / global.

Matt Mckenna (Board Member)

mckenna007@hotmail.co.nz

Also Member NZ Hubei Chamber of Commerce, and NZCFS Executive Committee.

I have been involved with China over the last 20 Years, including escorting and introducing a Maori / NZ Environmental Technology start-up Company to a Chinese State owned Company.

I also have been involved in the Education Sector with Chinese University Graduate students and assisting them in their career paths. I work as an Airport Ambassador in Christchurch. I love meeting all the Chinese Tourists on their arrival and making many friends and giving them good advice on their Travels in NZ.

James Barnes (Broad Member)

I am a Māori of Ngati Pōrou descent, an indigenous person of Aotearoa/New Zealand. I am on the CANZBC Board to promote business opportunities between Māori and Chinese companies. My own business is in stakeholder engagement and relationship management. I have a 30 year old consultancy company that provides advisory services to Government (central/local), private and NGO sector organisations and companies, dealing with indigenous issues, as they relate to cultural awareness, organisational responsiveness and operational effectiveness.

I am also a major shareholder and director of a tech company that has developed a relationship management platform using practice proven REM methodology to maximise the quality and productivity of project teams, to deliver outcomes that improve profitability.

Ying Mao (Board Member)

Ying Mao is currently serving as the International Business Development Manager at Otago Polytechnic, where he plays a key role in fostering global partnerships and driving the institution's international growth strategy. In this role, he is responsible for managing and expanding international collaborations, enhancing Otago Polytechnic's global presence, and developing strategic initiatives that align with the institution's goals.

Before joining Otago Polytechnic, Ying Mao had a distinguished career as a Consular Affairs Advisor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Wellington, New Zealand. With over 16 years of experience in diplomatic services, he provided expert advice on consular matters, playing a key role in strengthening the relationship between China and New Zealand. His extensive experience in international relations and cross-cultural communication has equipped him with a deep understanding of global business practices and cultural nuances, which he now brings to his current role.

Sam Manzanza (Board Member)

Hello CANZBC, my name is Piyolo Sam Manzanza. I am also a board member of the Multicultural Council of Wellington, and a DRC community representative in Wellington. Additionally, I am the founder of the African Communities Council Wellington (ACCW), have been a Past President for 10 years, and an event organiser of the Africa Day event in Wellington New Zealand for 9 years, including 4 years inside the Parliament, while also organising French Fete De La Musique in Wellington with alliance Francais (French Cultural Center) for over 14 years.

I am an Artist, Musician, and Actor, who works as a sole trader and owner of Manzanza Music Enterprise. I run workshops and teach Congolese drumming. I perform solo and band tours around New Zealand and Overseas. I worked with Victor Zhang (project manager of China Cultural Centre) to promote Chinese art and culture to the African community during Africa Day events in Wellington New Zealand.

Previously, I owned a bar and restaurant called "Le Palmier" in DRC Kinshasa and have been based in New Zealand since 1987.

Mark Shi (Board Member)

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