Luke Skywalker and the tiny island nation of Niue may have little in common at first blush, but they have helped sustain business at the New Zealand Mint.

Now, after a change of owner, the Mint is chasing a much bigger prize: cracking open the booming market of China.

New Zealander Simon Harding, who completed the purchase of the Auckland-based Mint from a private individual Monday for an undisclosed sum, says discussions are underway for a possible joint venture in China.