It's been a challenging year economically for many countries, due to U.S. President Donald Trump's unpredictable tariff polices. However, the trading relationship between China and New Zealand has increased over the past year, setting a new record. Owen Poland reports from Auckland.

It's been a tough year for many New Zealanders as they struggle with the rising cost of living in a subdued economy. But just a few kilometres away from downtown Auckland, the country's biggest port is celebrating a 12 per cent rise in exports to China, that's boosted two-way trade between the two countries to a record-breaking 41 billion New Zealand dollars.

ALISTAIR CROZIER New Zealand-China Council Executive Director "If you look at the main products, the goods products that we export to China, many of them are primary products, whether it's dairy or whether its fruit, meat, seafood, wine, and so on – this is what New Zealand does."

New Zealand's dairy sector has been the star performer with exports of products like infant formula rising by 32 per cent in the past year, as companies like Spring Milk expand their Chinese retail network.

NICK HAMMOND Spring Sheep Company Chief Executive "And so for us going forward, we see a huge opportunity for our Spring Sheep product in the China market, particularly, as we see a whole lot of consumers looking for natural products, ones that can really help them nutritionally."

China's COSCO shipping company has played a part in that success by increasing its service throughout the Asia-Pacific region. And the trading relationship is also underpinned by the long-standing Free Trade Agreement between the two countries.

CHRIS METCALFE New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Regional Director Greater China "China and New Zealand's trade is highly complementary, and we benefit from each other. It's a long relationship that we have now, and I think we both benefit from it."

OWEN POLAND New Zealand "New Zealand's export success in China is in stark contrast to the sharp downturn in trade with the United States. Since the Trump tariffs were announced earlier this year, New Zealand's exports to America have slumped by almost 25 per cent as businesses switch their focus to Asia-Pacific region."

Last month's China International Import Expo attracted a record number of New Zealand businesses, and that's already led to new deals worth hundreds of millions of dollars which will boost exports in the year ahead.

CHRIS METCALFE New Zealand Trade and Enterprise Regional Director Greater China "The CIIE is a trade show that is very important to the Chinese government, and it's there to show that they're open to the world."

And, as a food producing nation, New Zealand hopes to benefit from China's growing interest in health and nutrition.

ALISTAIR CROZIER New Zealand China Council Executive Director "As China becomes a more globalised market their tastes are diversifying and they're willing to try new things, and that's where our dairy products are very well placed to be part of that local development."

And while the global economy remains sluggish, China's continued growth means that it'll continue to be New Zealand's largest export market for the foreseeable future. Owen Poland, CGTN, Auckland.