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Councils & communities · 外事办
International relationships, without the worry.
An approach from overseas, a sister city that’s gone quiet, a delegation next month. We help council staff and councillors check who they’re dealing with, get the protocol right, and show ratepayers real value.
Your first conversation is free and confidential.
What council staff and councillors tell us they worry about
And how we help with each.
“Could this embarrass us?”
We check before anyone replies, so nothing ends up in the local paper that you can’t explain.
“Is this foreign interference?”
We know the warning signs and the official NZSIS guidance, and we’ll tell you plainly if something needs a closer look.
“Are they who they say they are?”
We check official records in New Zealand and overseas, including sources in the other party’s own language.
“What are we signing up to?”
Protocol, MOUs and return visits explained in plain English, in both languages, before you commit.
“Is it worth the ratepayers’ money?”
Clear deliverables, a short monthly summary for council, and a review every year.
“What if our officer leaves?”
We keep the records, contacts and history, so the relationship doesn’t leave with them.
1 · Approached from overseas?
Here’s how to check it, and when to call us.
A letter from a city you’ve never heard of. An investor who wants to meet the mayor next week. Most approaches are genuine. Some aren’t what they seem. We’ll help you find out which, quickly and in confidence.
Red flags we look for
- Pressure to sign or decide quicklyA deadline that suits them, not you.
- An identity that’s hard to pin downNames, titles or company details that change, or can’t be found in official records.
- Gifts, paid travel or hospitalityGenerous offers that leave people feeling they owe something.
- Asking for more access than the relationship needsTo elected members, council data, land, ports or infrastructure.
- Two versions that don’t matchAn English text and a translated version of the same agreement that say different things.
Everything else we look after
One trusted pair of hands, in New Zealand and in China.
2
Sister cities and civic exchanges
Relationship management, MOUs and agreements, civic visits and protocol. Delegations both ways: invitations, planning, interpreting and hosting.
3
Economic development and trade links
Helping your council support local businesses through its international links: introductions, business delegations with your chamber or EDA, and market insight.
Are you a business? See Trade & investment.
4
Community and youth exchanges
Community and iwi exchanges, sister schools for your local schools, and the China Volunteer Programme for young people from your district.
Community and youth exchanges
China Volunteer Programme
Young people from your district teach English in a Chinese host school and come home with a second community, and a sister-city link people can see.
How it works, and what it costs
Calm, simple, and you know the price before we start.
01 · Free
A confidential first chat
30 minutes on the phone or Zoom. Tell us what’s happened. Nothing goes further unless you want it to.
02 · Fixed quote
We check
Research in New Zealand and overseas, in English and the other party’s language. You agree the price before we start.
03 · Included
Written advice
A short briefing you can take to your chief executive or a councillor workshop, and a call to talk it through.
04 · If you want it
Ongoing support
Replies, MOUs, protocol and visits. Quoted per job, or a monthly fee from $500 + GST.
How we’re paid, plainly
Councils pay us directly. A fixed quote for a check, or a monthly fee for ongoing support. Your first conversation is free.
No payment from the other side. We don’t take money from an overseas party we’re checking for you. If any partner pays us a fee, we tell you in writing first.
Beijing New Bridge. Our sister company in Beijing handles contracting in China. It’s a separate company, and we’ll always tell you when it’s involved.
Why Eastern Bridge
“I’ve worked inside a district council and an economic development agency, so I know what an officer needs to take to the chief executive. And I’ve spent years working with partners in China and Korea, so I know what a genuine approach looks like, and when something doesn’t add up.”
Simon Appleton (方志杰), founder and lead consultant
Simon’s experience
Experience
Lead consultant. 18 years’ experience working with local governments in New Zealand, China, South Korea, Japan, Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand
Inside local government
Economic Development Manager, Toi Economic Development Agency and Ōpōtiki District Council, 2011–2014
Councils supported
36 New Zealand councils, with partner-city liaison, delegations and protocol
Due diligence
Background checks on overseas parties for councils since 2019
Agreements and visits
Sister-city MOUs, letters of invitation and delegations, in both directions
On the ground
Eastern Bridge had offices in Napier, Wuxi and Nanchang in 2019. From 2027 Simon is based mostly in China
Business councils
Executive Director, Korea New Zealand Business Council, 2018–2024
Consular role
Honorary Consul for the Republic of Korea in Hawke’s Bay since 2022
Qualifications and languages
Master of Law in International Relations, Renmin University of China. BA in International Relations and Asian Studies, Victoria University of Wellington. Speaks English, Chinese and Korean, with professional working proficiency in Chinese
Proof, not promises
36
New Zealand councils supported with their international relationships
Quote placeholder · with permission
“[A sentence from a council officer about a check or a visit we helped with.]”
Name, role, council: published only with written permission
Quote placeholder · with permission
“[A sentence from a mayor or councillor about the relationship.]”
Name, role, council: published only with written permission
Free download · 4-page PDF
The red-flags checklist for councils
A practical checklist to work through before anyone replies to an overseas approach, with a traffic-light guide for deciding what to do next. Print it, share it with your team, keep it by the phone.
No email address needed.
Got an approach from overseas?
Send it through, in confidence. The first conversation is free.