Ngati Kahungunu Iwi chairman Ngahiwi Tomoana said the Taniwha Dragon Summit is going from strength to strength, with several deals done and more in the making on the Summit's second and final day at Clubs Hastings.
Deals included more than $50 million for a fruit packing facility and Shanghai Fisheries were looking to invest $20 million over the next two years, he said.
A Chinese company wished to order $20 million worth of salmon, which he was trying to organise, and Northland iwi Ngati Kahu wished for a joint $3 million venture in a fishing boat with Ngati Kahungunu.
Today's speakers included Shanghai Pengxin president of investment Terry Lee. He said there was a natural affinity between Maori and Chinese.
"Someone told me they think Maori is easier to learn than English," he said.