(29 July 2026 – New Zealand) Bank of China (New Zealand) has appointed Dr. Xiaoming Gao as its new Chief Executive, following the retirement of his predecessor, Warren hu.
Dr. Gao brings extensive international experience in the banking and financial services sector, having held senior executive positions throughout his career. He also holds a PhD in International trade from the University of International Business and Economics in Beijing.
In his new role, Dr. Gao will oversee the bank’s operations across New Zealand, guiding its strategic direction while reinforcing its focus on customer service, innovation, regulatory compliance, and sustainable growth. His leadership is expected to further strengthen the bank’s role in facilitating trade, investment, and economic cooperation between New Zealand and China.
Prior to his appointment, Dr. Gao served as an executive board member and general manager of Bank of China’s Abu Dhabi Branch in the UAE. His broad industry expertise is expected to support the bank’s continued development in an increasingly dynamic financial environment.
Commenting on the appointment, Dr. Gao said he was honoured to lead Bank of China (New Zealand) and looked forward to working with employees, customers, and stakeholders to build on the bank’s strong foundation and pursue new opportunities for growth.
Bank of China (New Zealand) has established itself as an important participant in New Zealand’s banking sector, providing a comprehensive range of financial services to corporate, institutional, and retail customers. Under Dr. Gao’s leadership, the bank is expected to continue enhancing its customer offering while strengthening relationships across the New Zealand business community.
The appointment represents another milestone in the bank’s long-term commitment to New Zealand and its role in supporting bilateral trade and investment between New Zealand and China.