24 Hour Transit Visa

Actually, if your itinerary is (for example):

Auckland - Beijing - Thailand

You will be covered by 24 hour visa free transit and you do not need any kind of visa. Since your layover is a long one, you will probably want to exit the airport. If this is the case, you will fill out an arrival/departure card that will be dispensed on board of the plane that you will use to arrive in Beijing. Upon your landing the first thing that you will do is to approach 24/144 hour visa free transit where you will apply for a temporary entry permit by presenting your flight tickets and your accommodation booking confirmation if you intend to have an overnight in Beijing. This application is free of any charge. When your permit is granted, you will proceed toward immigration and then on your own in Beijing. You do not need any kind of visa or any kind of prior application.