Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to New Zealand is reaping plenty of rewards.

New Zealand's become the first country to sign an agreement to collaborate on film production with China.

We've also signed up to agreements to work together on educating.

The agreements will mean more qualifications being recognised in both countries, and more cross-collaboration on research projects.

Universities New Zealand executive director Chris Whelan is welcoming the news.

He says the goal is to grow the amount of education, research and teaching we're doing across the two countries.

He says the more we can do to drop barriers and collaborate on research, the better for both of us.

New Labour leader Andrew Little will meet with President Xi in Auckland this morning.

The president will then lunch with political and business leaders, before his tour wraps up at the Karaka sales yards this afternoon.