Story: Cold War

In 1976 Robert Muldoon (second from right) visited communist China – the first official visit by a New Zealand prime minister. He is seen here with Chinese leader Mao Zedong (third from left). Muldoon saw China as a lesser threat to New Zealand than the Soviet Union so was more kindly disposed towards it. One reason for the trip was to explore trade possibilities, and China later became an important customer for New Zealand wool.