Suzannah Jessep's August 2024 Update
Given the wintery (and in Wellington, windy) weather we've had recently, no one could be blamed for opting to hunker down at home rather than bracing the cold to attend evening events. So, it has been wonderful and heartening to see so many of you at our Asia After Five evenings, connecting with speakers, networking with contacts new and old, and sharing your own stories. You bring warmth and energy to these events, and I would like to thank everyone who has participated.
Last Wednesday we gathered in Auckland for an Asia After Five bringing together five up-and-coming art curators who have just returned from Vietnam. The group shared their experiences in Hanoi, Hue and Ho Chi Minh City, where they connected with local arts practitioners and learnt about Vietnam’s flourishing arts scene.
The purpose of such visits is for New Zealand arts practitioners to expand their understanding of the arts in and across Asia and to develop useful industry connections that will help them grow their practices here in Aotearoa New Zealand, foster new collaborations, and profile new emerging artists and trends.
In another evening event, we brought together Leadership Network members Hannah Duder, chief executive and co-founder of beauty brand Indigo and Iris, and Nathan Taylor, co-founder and chief operating officer of auto parts procurement software company, Partly who spoke about their extensive experiences of doing business in Asia.
Leadership Network members Hannah Duder and Nathan Taylor speaking at an Asia After Five event in Christchurch
In Wellington, Brad Olsen - chief executive and principal economist from Infometrics and a Leadership Network member – shared his insights into China’s evolving economy and some of the changes that are impacting New Zealand businesses operating there. He and senior solicitor, Millie Morgan (also a Leadership Network member), co-presented at another event in Auckland.
The Foundation supported Brad and Millie to visit China in November last year to undertake a research project looking at China's economy. Their visit included calls on video content creation studios, local businesses and factories, the New Zealand Embassy and other contacts.
We have further Asia After Five evenings planned for the coming months, so keep an eye out on our website and social media channels for information on the next one near you.
In late July, the Foundation led a delegation of ten Māori game developers and digital storytellers to China where they connected with industry leaders and gained an overview of China’s creative industries. Their itinerary included visits to leading Chinese tech companies and attendance at China Joy – a game development and digital entertainment expo. The delegation also learned about Chinese business culture and were able to demonstrate how kaupapa Māori values guide their approach to business and work.
This year’s Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples research highlighted a growing interest in Asia among young Māori. The report emphasises the importance Māori place on whanaungatanga – bringing people together and building relationships through shared experiences.
The Foundation’s Seriously Asia Revisited research, released last year, also highlights how many Māori businesses and organisations are working directly to grow valuable partnerships across Asia and how these connections are influencing and shaping the aspirations of the next generation.
Māori game developers and digital storytellers visited China to learn about the creative industries and make connections
Last week, we were honoured to be part of the visit by India’s head of state, President Droupadi Murmu, and thank Her Excellency The Rt Hon Dame Cindy Kiro, Governor General of New Zealand, for her invitation to attend the state dinner.
President Murmu undertook a range of meetings while she was in New Zealand and was guest of honour at this year’s New Zealand International Education Conference (NZIEC), hosted by Education New Zealand.
India has been identified as a priority relationship for New Zealand education both in terms of institutional collaboration and research partnerships, as well as the provision of education services. Indian students currently account for the second largest group studying with New Zealand providers.
If you were up very early on Friday morning, you may have caught me on TVNZ’s Breakfast Show talking about the significance of the visit and the evolving relationship between New Zealand and India. Foundation research also shows that more New Zealanders are recognising the importance of India to New Zealand’s future and that sentiment towards India as a rising power – particularly as an economic power - in Asia is increasingly positive.
Finally, I’d like to thank the new Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Bede Corry, for visiting our Wellington office last week. In his new position, Bede also joins the Foundation’s board, so his visit was an opportunity for us to introduce him to our organisation and the work we do. In his remarks, Bede noted how central New Zealand’s Asia relations have become to New Zealand’s foreign and trade policy, and the importance of organisations like ours helping to grow in-depth expertise as well as people-to-people connections. I look forward to continuing to work together.
Nga mihi,
Suzannah Jessep
