By Kate Chapman
The kapa haka group were singing in Mandarin and the chef was cooking for an Asian palate at New Zealand's national day at the World Expo in Shanghai today.
Every country at the expo is allocated a national day where they hold special events.
Today is New Zealand's and Prime Minister John Key was in Shanghai to celebrate.
More than 1.6 million people have already been through the New Zealand pavilion.
Up to seven million people were expected to go through it before the expo finishes in October.
The Government spent $30 million on the pavilion and sponsors fronted up with a further $2.5m.
Five to seven million people going through the pavilion was bound to increase tourism and investment in New Zealand, Mr Key said.
"It's all part of the overall package of the free trade agreement (FTA) and the deepening relationships between New Zealand and China."
While it was hard to put a number on the economic value of the pavilion it was likely to be hundreds of millions of dollars, he said.
The New Zealand pavilion did New Zealand proud.
"It's a nice snapshot of a day in the life of a New Zealand family," Mr Key said.
The crowd was enjoying the kapa haka performances outside, the two tonne ponamu at the front door was a sight to behold and there was lots of interesting scenery inside, he said.
"It's nice to see the Maori culture here on display in China."
Mr Key also visited the pavilions of China, South Korea and Vietnam.
He said the Chinese pavilion was amazing.
"But it did cost 10 times what ours costs, so that's probably what you get for $300m.
"I think we got a really good deal."
This morning Mr Key gifted a carved waharoa (gateway) in the shape of a waka to the Baoshan Folk Museum -- a cultural and teaching institution being built in Shanghai.
Carvers from Rotorua's Te Puia New Zealand Maori Arts and Craft School began working on the waharoa in December.
Te Puia spokesman Karl Johnstone said it meant New Zealand was coming to China with a gift rather than just to see what it could extract out of the country.
During the powhiri the kapa haka group sang in Maori and Mandarin and the Chinese receiving the waharoa hongied the performers and kaumatua.
Celebrity chef Ruth Petty and her company are catering the New Zealand pavilion's staff meals and VIP dinners.
She said while they were focused on using New Zealand products, especially meat, seafood and dairy, they were trying to cater to Asian tastes when writing the menu.
However, it was not a fusion menu, she said.
It was about taking into account their eating culture.
New Zealand's national day is over but there are four more months to convince millions of Chinese people New Zealand is a good place to visit and do business.
(Kate Chapman travelled to China with the help of the Asia New Zealand Foundation)
NZPA