Ningbo established a sister city relationship with Waitakere City, New Zealand in December 1998. 

The two cities have maintained close cooperation and exchange in areas such as administrative management, environmental protection and education.

Ningbo has sent government delegations to Waitakere City multiple times.

Ningbo University of Technology has maintained a close relationship with UNITEC Institute of Technology. Ningbo No 2 Middle School and Western Springs College have also established a relationship. 

In 2010, Waitakere was amalgamated into new Auckland. In 2011, Auckland decided to continue the sister city relationship with Ningbo.