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

A conference or event with a decorated ceiling illuminated in red swirling patterns, stage lighting, and a large audience seated in front of a stage.

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.

A name badge for Christopher Luxon, with a blue geometric design, indicating his position as a member of the NZOM organization and his attendance at an event in New Zealand.
A tri-fold dinner menu for The China - New Zealand People and Business Dinner, hosted by Christopher Luxon, Prime Minister of New Zealand, in honor of Li Qiang, Premier of China, dated Friday, June 14, 2024.
Four vertical banners with geometric mountain designs, the center banners contain text in different languages, with a small New Zealand fern logo at the bottom of some.

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.

A man in a suit speaking at a podium during a formal event, with an audience and a large screen displaying his image in the background.
Elegant round banquet table set for a formal dinner with wine glasses, silverware, and place cards. Centerpiece with greenery surrounds a table number sign. Background shows a blurred cityscape skyline at sunset.
A large banquet hall with tables set with white tablecloths, glassware, and plates. The ceiling features an intricate pattern of purple and blue lighting effects. A stage at the front has a large screen displaying a geometric design, and people are gathered around it, preparing for an event or presentation.
A person with tattoos and tribal face markings singing into a microphone at a podium in a lush forest setting, with another person playing a keyboard in the background.
Children and adults participating in a traditional Chinese lion dance performance at a celebration event, with the lion costume and performers in festive attire.