TCM gets a needle into New Zealand's healthcare system

China Daily | Updated: 2025-05-09 09:42

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An expert from Shanghai showcases traditional Chinese exercises to a Christchurch audience in New Zealand on April 27.[Photo/Xinhua]

WELLINGTON — On April 27, residents of New Zealand's South Island were immersed in the world of traditional Chinese medicine at an exhibition held in Christchurch.

Visitors to the event explored several TCM practices, including pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, tui na massage (one of the oldest massage techniques in the world), herbal sachet making, tai chi, and Baduanjin (a form of qigong) exercises.

The Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine showcased innovative technologies, such as the Health Smart Ring and Smart Health Evaluator. These devices, incorporating cloud computing and artificial intelligence, offer personalized TCM health testing and evaluation services to the New Zealand public, the organizer says.

With a history that spans thousands of years, TCM emphasizes holistic approaches to disease prevention, treatment, and well-being, the Chinese Consul General in Christchurch He Ying noted at the opening ceremony.

A New Zealander gets a pulse check during the event.

Today, TCM has spread to nearly 200 countries. Acupuncture and tui na massage are now formally recognized within New Zealand's healthcare system, benefiting people from diverse backgrounds, she says.

Meng Yu, vice-president of the Shanghai University of TCM, adds that several doctors in New Zealand have pursued further education, deepening ties between the two countries and advancing Chinese medicine's academic development.

Meng hopes for stronger China-New Zealand cooperation using traditional medicine to bridge the two cultures.

Public demand for TCM services continues to grow, says Robin Kerr, president of Acupuncture New Zealand.

Resident Mary Timings participated in the event and shared that TCM offered her a refreshing, new perspective on health and well-being.

The event, attended by over 100 representatives from local communities and TCM organizations, was co-organized by the Chinese Consulate General in Christchurch, the Shanghai University of TCM, the Confucius Institute at the University of Canterbury, and Christchurch City Libraries.