Haier joins foundation sponsors for NZ pavilion

The Chinese whiteware maker that snapped up a 20 per cent stake in Fisher & Paykel Appliances last year as the Kiwi manufacturer struggled with mounting debt, has signed on as a foundation sponsor of the New Zealand pavilion at Shanghai's World Expo.

Haier is one of China's largest firms, with 29 manufacturing sites and 60,000 employees.

The Chinese firm's 20 per cent stake in the Kiwi whiteware maker enabled its appliances to be sold in New Zealand through F&P's exclusive dealership network.

The co-operation between the two companies meant F&P's products could also be sold through Haier's 7000-store network in China.

New Zealand's commission-general for the expo, Phillip Gibson, said Haier's decision to join Zespri and Solid Energy as a foundation partner was a tremendous boost.

"Haier, because of its status both in China and on the global stage and its strong interest in New Zealand, will be a prestigious major sponsor for the New Zealand pavilion," he said.

Strong private sector support was important for New Zealand's participation at the World Expo, Gibson said.

"This is much more than a Government initiative. It's an NZ Inc enterprise." Other major sponsors of the expo include Fonterra, Air New Zealand, ANZ bank and Ngai Tahu.

More than 160 Kiwi businesses have confirmed they will be involved in activities at the New Zealand pavilion, which features a rooftop garden, a 10m waharoa (gate), carved on site, and pouwhenua (carved pillars) fitted with interactive screens from which visitors can download information about New Zealand to their cellphones.

The expo opens on May 1.