Massey University China Alumni Conference 2025 strengthens global connections

Nearly 200 Massey alumni and friends came together in Auckland for the 2025 Massey University China Alumni (MUCA) Conference – a lively occasion to reconnect, share stories, and celebrate the strength of the Massey Chinese alumni community. 

The conference welcomed an esteemed line-up of guests. These included H.E. Dr Wang Xiaolong, Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China to New Zealand (Cook Islands, Niue); Mr Chen Shijie, Consul-General of the People’s Republic of China in Auckland; and Mr Michael Zhang, New Zealand Consul-General in Guangzhou. They were joined by Mr Grant Smith, Mayor of Palmerston North City and President of Global Cities New Zealand; Ms Nancy Lu, National List MP; Jian Yang, former Member of the New Zealand Parliament and Chair of the New Zealand Chinese Business Club and Federation of New Zealand Chinese Business Associations; Beihai (Warren) Hu, CEO and Executive Director of Bank of China (New Zealand) Limited and Chair of the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand; and Adjunct Professor Dr Tere McGonagle-Daly, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Massey University.

Opening the event, Dr McGonagle-Daly reflected on the remarkable growth of MUCA and Massey’s longstanding partnership with China:

“Last year, I had the privilege to join the inaugural conference in Guangzhou, where we launched the next evolution of MUCA. These foundations began within the Massey University Business School, specifically with our MBA graduates. Over the years, we’ve broadened the scope to include all Chinese graduates across colleges, programmes, and levels at Massey. It always continues to grow.

“This year, Massey is home to over 2800 students from China studying across New Zealand at bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, and about 2200 students studying Massey programmes in China itself. This will continue to grow.

“Massey is a well-established partner of China, with decades of engagement. We were the first New Zealand university to partner with a Chinese university, and now we have over 100 active partnerships and offshore delivery in three locations. We have some of the highest graduate employment rates in the country, and we are growing internationally as well, aided by our footprint in China, Singapore, and Vietnam.

“So today is about people, connections, and friendships. Long may they be nurtured and grow.”

MUCA Vice-President Ping Peng highlighted the organisation’s unique role: “MUCA is a truly pioneering initiative among New Zealand universities, and I’m proud it has become one of the most dynamic and impactful alumni organisations across New Zealand and China’s education space.”

MUCA President Kevin Gang Wang presented the annual report, sharing the community’s achievements: “Over the past two years, our alumni community has grown strongly and achieved remarkable milestones. With six branches across Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Shenzhen, and New Zealand, alumni can connect wherever they are. Regular networking meetings and reunions have strengthened ties with each other and with Massey.

“MUCA has launched team programmes that enrich the alumni experience and give back to the campus. Alumni have also become mentors, offering guidance to current students and recent graduates navigating study and career paths. Dozens have benefited from one-on-one mentoring, career advice sessions, and internships arranged through our network. We are proud to implement Massey’s values by supporting the next generation and giving back to society.”

The Massey University Alumni Service Awards recognise alumni who have made outstanding contributions to fostering alumni connections and serving the community. This year’s awards were presented to Yadong Liu, Jing Chi, Bowen Wang, Junshi Chen, Yue Yao, Ray Pan, and Nick Xue.

In addition, Professor Jonathan Elms, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Massey Business School, has appointed Kevin Gang Wang and Alex Zhang as members of the School’s Advisory Board.

The conference also featured keynote presentations from distinguished alumni: Ray Pan, President of MUCA NZ Branch and Founder and Chairman of Just Prestige Group and Baijiu International; Lili Wang, Owner and CEO of Chinese Herald; Nick Xue, Owner of GJ Gardner Homes Papakura; and Mason Mei, General Manager of Sunway Packaging Ltd. in New Zealand. Each shared their Massey journey and the impactful contributions they have made since graduation.

The 2025 MUCA Conference was filled with inspiring stories of achievement from Massey alumni. More than a reunion, it celebrated the growing partnership between Massey University and its alumni in New Zealand and China. As alumnus Mason Mei said, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” That spirit is what this network represents.

Check out more highlights from the event in our photo album: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1163020995849951&type=3