WELLINGTON - The largest ever delegation of New Zealand mayors to China will depart next week for talks in China's coastal city of Xiamen on boosting investment in New Zealand.

The Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) lobby group said Monday that the 12 mayors representing the country's cities and regions would attend the first ever Mayoral Forum between the two countries.

The forum led by LGNZ president Lawrence Yule and hosted by the Chinese People's Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) supported the strengthening of exchanges between mayors and governors from both countries.

It would also focus on development opportunities within New Zealand's tourism, education and primary industries, Yule said in a statement.

The delegation, which would include business and educational leaders from across New Zealand, showed commitment to developing strong regional economies across New Zealand.

"China is our biggest trading partner and as such our relationship with them is extremely important to our economy," said Yule.