The second-highest ranking politician in China is meeting with Kiwi Prime Minister Chris Luxon on Thursday to begin a three-day trip.
Mr Li is the most senior Chinese leader to visit in seven years, a member of the innermost circle of the Chinese Communist Party: the Politburo Standing Committee.
He cited Chinese poetry to describe the strength of the New Zealand-China relationship.
"Good friends feel close to each other even when they are far apart," he said.
"Though separated by the vast ocean, China and New Zealand enjoy a long history of friendly interactions, and our peoples have forged a bond of friendship based on mutual understanding."
Chinese Premier Li Qiang received a traditional and military welcome, complete with a Maori haka. (Ben McKay/AAP PHOTOS)
New Zealand was the first developed country to sign a free trade deal with China, which Mr Li suggested would be upgraded during his stay.
"We can use the opportunity to have an in-depth discussion on bilateral relations and issues of shared interest, deepen exchanges and co-operation in various fields, and upgrade the China-New Zealand comprehensive strategic partnership," he said.
The pair met outside Government House, the Wellington home of the governor-general, where Mr Li received a traditional and military welcome, complete with a spirited Maori haka.
The pair then moved inside for hours of bilateral talks.
Mr Luxon has put export growth at the centre of his government's economic agenda, and hopes to build trade with China, already New Zealand's largest trade partner by a distance.
"At a time when many parts of the global economy are struggling, it is vital that we continue to examine what can be done to make it easier to trade for the benefit of both countries," Mr Luxon said.
"From innovative agri-tech and high-quality food, to creative industries, world-class tourism, and education, New Zealand certainly has a lot to offer China."
The two countries shared two-way trade worth $NZ38 billion ($A35 billion) last year.
However, services trade has lagged since the pandemic, worth $NZ3.4 billion ($A3.2 billion) in 2018, dropping to less than one third of that in 2022 before rebounding to $NZ1.6 billion ($A1.5 billion) in 2023.
China is sending fewer tourists and international students to New Zealand than prior to the mass border closures which reset those industries.
Previous New Zealand governments have held the goal of diversifying trade beyond China, given New Zealand's uneasy dependency, but Mr Luxon said trends suggest closer ties.
"I expect trade between New Zealand and China to continue to grow as a proportion of the total mix," he said.
"We also want to see trade growing in the six big Southeast Asian markets ... the same with India."
Supporters and critics of the Chinese government duelled for space during Premier Li Qiang's visit. (Ben McKay/AAP PHOTOS)
While trade is the focus of Mr Li's visit, Mr Luxon said he was sure New Zealand's interest in joining the US-led military tie-up AUKUS would also be discussed.
He also pledged to bring up New Zealand's many human rights concerns directly with Mr Li, as is Wellington's standard practice.
Outside the gathering, protesters decrying China's treatment of Falun Gong and supporters of the government duelled for space to display banners on nearby roads and outside a Wellington hotel.
Supporters' large signs read "Warmly Welcome Premier Li's Visit to NZ" and "China-New Zealand Win-Win Cooperation For People", echoing the language used in Mr Li's statement.
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