Chinese businesses in Auckland are an important aspect of the New Zealand largest city's retail landscape, according to a report released on Thursday.

In a timely new report by the Asia New Zealand Foundation, entitled "Chinese Businesses and the Transformation of Auckland", two researchers, Paul Spoonley and Carina Meares, looked at the ways that different Chinese communities have responded to the opportunities and challenges of setting up businesses in Auckland.

The Chinese businesses are neither a minor nor an exotic feature of the urban economy of New Zealand's largest city and they form an important link in trade with Asia, said the report.

They found that Auckland's Chinese businesses are an important source of innovation and contribute to the city's cultural and economic diversity. And they are important contributors to the international trade.

The report showed that many Chinese business owners depend extensively on other Chinese for employees, suppliers and customers. This is related to a lack of local networks, including business networks, and English language difficulties.

But local Chinese businesses have also adapted to the influx of Chinese immigrants. Overseas Chinese contacts are considered important for business owners, many of whom make regular personal visits to maintain their relationships with overseas business contacts, especially in China.

Even though the customers might be here in New Zealand, these business owners are very reliant on these international connections for supplies or ideas. They differ from many other New Zealand businesses in this regard.

One characteristic feature is the development of ethnic precincts, or the concentrations of small and medium-sized Chinese businesses in some parts of Auckland such as Dominion Road in Auckland City, Northcote in North Shore City and Meadowlands in Manukau City.

The report showed why Chinese businesses deserve more attention in the Auckland city economy but concluded that some key developments and organizations have yet to recognize this.

"We hope that this report will contribute to a greater understanding and appreciation of the importance of Chinese businesses to the Auckland economy in the 21st century," the report said.

(Xinhua News Agency July 16, 2009)