To New Zealand, Asia looms like a trade immensity: six of the country's 10 largest markets are in the region.
The old notion that New Zealand was an isolated farm in the southern Pacific Ocean whose role was to provide inexpensive food for Britain, died more than a generation ago.
New Zealand Consul-General James Kember points out that the nation's destiny is now linked with Asia, not just through trade but through organisations such as New Zealand's Asia 2000 Foundation.
The foundation promotes two-way understanding, taking economists, businessmen, journalists, academics and others from Asia to New Zealand and urging New Zealanders to see the world.
A major new thrust of those developing relations is across the Pacific towards Latin America, but Asian connections remain first priority.
From October 1 last year, visiting New Zealand was made easier for Hong Kong travellers when visa-free entry began. Two- way tourism is brisk, although dented by the economic uncertainties of the past 21 months.