Initially Rewi’s support for the People’s Republic of China, and his recording in the 1960s of the changes for the better he saw in the New China, eroded his popularity in New Zealand. The west’s recognition in 1971 of the People’s Republic as the rightful government of China changed the New Zealand Government’s view. Increasingly, the contributions of this well-read, Mandarin speaking New Zealander living in Beijing, who rubbed shoulders with the leaders of New China were acknowledged. More and more people, whether as delegates, tourists or individual visitors, have benefitted from the link between China and New Zealand, part of the work done by Rewi as an unofficial Ambassador.
