China Southern Airlines has confirmed it will start flights to Auckland from Guangzhou via Melbourne in April 2011. The Chinese airline has also recently started a service to New Zealand via Brisbane.
Rival China Airlines is also starting flights to Auckland International Airport from January.
Chief executive Simon Mouter said it was important to have a brand on the route that was known to Chinese travellers: "A market like China ought to support at least two carriers."
China Southern will use an A330-300 aircraft on the route.