Premiere State Gala Dinner
NZ Story
His Excellency Li Qiang, Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China, was visiting New Zealand in June 2024. To mark the occasion, the Right Honourable Christopher Luxon hosted a State Gala Dinner.
VISUAL IDENTITY | DESIGN | MOTION | EVENT MANAGEMENT | H&S MANAGEMENT | PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Uno Loco, working with NZ Story, VCO and MFAT, was asked to deliver an evening that celebrated both Kiwi and Chinese culture, showcased New Zealand at its finest and ran flawlessly under the scrutiny of world-class security.
Opportunity
With only four weeks to plan, 300 VIP guests and tight security requirements, this was one of those “career highlight” moments. The challenge was to produce a global-calibre gala that was both spectacular and seamless, blending performance, hospitality and high-level protocol into one extraordinary evening.
Our response
Every detail was carefully considered. Traditional Māori design touches mingled with curated three-course New Zealand cuisine while cultural performances from both Kiwi and Chinese artists set the stage. Our internal design team created a compelling visual identity from print collateral to motion graphics that tied the night together. Behind the scenes we managed communications, guest registration, on-site welcome and full audio-visual and entertainment production.
What made it special
Delivering an event for a world leader is no small feat. Balancing tight timelines, multiple stakeholders and super-strict security, the evening ran like clockwork. Guests were wowed by the mix of technology, design and performance and our team walked away knowing we had created a celebration that was elegant, culturally rich and unmistakably Kiwi. It was big, it was bold and yes it was exactly the kind of event that makes the adrenaline worth it.
