One of the world's most powerful men, Chinese president Xi Jinping, will whistle through New Zealand over the next two days.
Following his visit to Australia - where a free-trade deal was signed - and the Brisbane G20 meeting Mr Xi and his wife Peng Liyuan, along with a large delegation, arrive in Auckland late on Wednesday for a two-day visit.
It is the first visit by a Chinese head of state to New Zealand since Hu Jintao in 2003 and is expected to be surrounded by tight security amid warnings of protest.
Mr Xi, who visited New Zealand as vice-president in 2010, will attend events in Auckland and Wellington before flying out on Friday.
Officials say Mr Xi will attend events which will showcase the bilateral trade, economic and cultural links. Since becoming the first country to sign a free-trade agreement with China in 2008, the Asian giant has become New Zealand's largest export market.
However, Mr Xi's visit could attract protest, as it did in Australia from the local Tibetan community. China has claimed Tibet since troops were sent in in 1950.
A meeting of New Zealand's Tibetan community will take place on the North Shore ahead of Mr Xi's visit.
Green Party co-leader Russel Norman will attend so he can raise the Tibet issue with Mr Xi if he gets the chance, says Thuten Kesang, chairman of Friends of Tibet (NZ).
"As Xi Jinping prepares to discuss trade with our government, Tibetans are literally dying for freedom.
"Xi Jinping should be held accountable for China's failed policies in Tibet.
"Since 2009 about 130 Tibetans have self immolated inside Tibet and the world is in deadly silence due to trade with China."
When Mr Xi visited parliament in 2010, Dr Norman waved a Tibetan flag and there was a scuffle as members of the Chinese entourage tore it off him.
