Prime Minister John Key says New Zealand businesses should look beyond China and make the most of developing markets such as Thailand.
He is leading a business delegation there to try to drum up more business for New Zealand companies and universities.
Thailand is this country's 10th largest trading partner, with education and agricultural products the main earners.
Mr Key said there is a rapidly growing and affluent middle class in Thailand, and it is sensible not to rely on just China for export growth.
He said recent political unrest should not put companies off doing business with Thailand, which has had periods of political volatility in the past.
