An electronic payment system created by the Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba could be in use in Wellington soon.
Chinese mobile payment app Alipay. Photo: AFP
More than 500 million Chinese use the mobile and online payment platform Alipay, and having it here would make it easier for tourists to spend money.
Representatives of Alibaba are at the New Zealand China Business Forum at Te Papa today, along with mayors from New Zealand and China.
Wellington mayor Justin Lester said Alipay could be in the capital by Christmas.
He said when it came to spending in shops it would work just like Visa, Mastercard or other merchant services.
Alibaba managing director for Australia and New Zealand, Maggie Zhou, said Alipay can be used to buy almost anything.
She said in China it was used everywhere.
"For shopping, to pay utility bills, or maybe go to see a movie, and for dinner, or maybe just to buy fruit on the street.
"So it's very convenient for them to use."
Ms Zhou said she wanted to provide the same service for Chinese people travelling to New Zealand.
