Suz Jessep's November 2024 Update
Earlier this month, I had the pleasure of welcoming 40 new members to the Foundation’s Leadership Network - New Zealand’s premier network of young leaders focused on Asia and building New Zealand-Asia relations.
Suz welcoming the latest intake of Leadership Network members at an induction event in Wellington this month
With over 500 members, and some of New Zealand’s most phenomenal talent, the network plays a crucial role in cultivating our next generation of future leaders who are equipped to navigate Asia’s opportunities and challenges.
During their induction, our new network members had a chance to meet each other, learn about the work of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, and to hear from established members about their experiences in and with the network.
The connections they make through the network, their positive attitudes to learning, and their international mindset means that they become hugely Asia-capable and absolute assets to New Zealand’s workforce and community.
Music programmers make industry connections in Japan
Creating opportunities for New Zealanders to connect with Asia is central to the Foundation's mission. We do this because research and data underscore Asia's critical importance to New Zealand today and highlight the pivotal role it will play in shaping our future. Whether we look at market trends, technology, demographics, the future of consumer demand, or trends in how sectors such as sports and arts are evolving, Asia is playing an increasingly important role.
The delegation at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo
This month, our arts programme took five music programmers, promoters, and business owners to Japan to attend the Tokyo International Music Market - a platform for international buyers to forge connections with Japanese music sector professionals, along with a programme of seminars and live music showcases.
Art in all its various forms offers a powerful bridge for connecting cultures, practices and markets, and enhancing New Zealanders' understanding of Asia. Music from Asia is entering and influencing New Zealand’s cultural environment like never before, with J-Pop and K-Pop the most notable examples.
Over the past three decades, artists from Asia have gone from being considered ‘niche’ to become global trendsetters. These artists are setting the pace of global pop culture while also delivering important social commentary that demands our attention.
In Auckland, the Foundation hosted an ‘Asia After Five’ event focused on New Zealand artists from all genres who have travelled to Japan to further their practices and build industry connections. Our guest speakers shared their stories, answered audience questions and showcased some of the works they have created. If you’re interested in attending an Asia After Five evening, keep an eye out in our newsletter for the next one near you – they’re always fun and engaging events and are a great way to meet super interesting people.
Track II Dialogues (or informal diplomacy) provide a vital platform for addressing key regional challenges
In the track II diplomacy space, we have been particularly busy in recent weeks.
In October, the Foundation led a delegation to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the 16th ASEAN- Australia-New Zealand (AANZ) Dialogue. Led by Foundation Trustee, Hone McGregor, the dialogue offers a way to have in-depth discussions on all the issues that matter to New Zealand in and with Asia. Hone wrote a great piece on the AANZ, which you might like to read.
Foundation Board member Hone McGregor speaking at the 16th ASEAN Australia New Zealand (AANZ) Dialogue
As part of these visits, the Foundation also runs training classes for up-and-coming scholars to help build their familiarity with track II diplomacy and with the issues being discussed. These classes explain what the Indo-Pacific is, help explain major power rivalry and demystify international relations and trade agreements. They also help New Zealand’s younger delegates to meet counterparts from across Asia and share their unique perspectives.
On behalf of the Foundation delegation, I’d like to extend a warm thanks to our dialogue partners, Malaysia ISIS and AsiaLink, and the Australian High Commission in Malaysia who hosted a reception for delegates.
New Zealand's former Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Philip Turner, addressing the dialogue
Last week, New Zealand's former Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, Philip Turner, led a Foundation delegation to Seoul for the 11th Dialogue with the Asan Institute for Policy Studies. Covering foreign policy, security and trade issues, the dialogue helps us to understand how Korea is seeing the world and to tease out new opportunities for collaboration.
While in Seoul, the delegation met with leading think tanks, academics, commentators and foreign correspondents, and they were also hosted by New Zealand’s Ambassador to South Korea, Dawn Bennet, for a fantastic networking event at the Official Residence. Our thanks to Dawn and her team.
Journalists tackle key industry challenges at Thailand summit
The Asia Media Centre is an independent media body that provides expert coverage in and on Asia for New Zealand readers. The Media Centre is housed at the Asia New Zealand Foundation and, as part of its outreach, it also offers grants, internships and other opportunities for New Zealand journalists to travel to Asia to gain in-country expertise and experience.
Splice Beta brought together media professionals from across Asia to learn about emerging trends in journalism
Most recently, the Asia Media Centre hosted Amber Easby, CEO of The Spinoff, Lucy Blakiston, founder of Sh*t You Should Care About, and Zahra Shatahmasebi, Voyager-winning freelance journalist and sub-editor at SCG Media, at the Splice Beta media festival in Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Splice Beta brings together media professionals from around the world to learn about emerging trends in journalism, including how artificial intelligence use is developing in newsrooms through to how to maintain journalistic integrity amidst an increasingly complex media landscape. Keep an eye out on the Foundation's website for an article about this visit.
Entrepreneur celebrated at the Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards
Finally, I’d like to extend my congratulations to Vanessa Hayes, founder of Tōrere Macadamias, who won the Foundation-sponsored Entrepreneurial Māori Business Leader award at the Aotearoa Māori Business Leaders Awards in October. And a special acknowledgment to our former trustee Paul Morgan for presenting the award, and to our Honorary Adviser, Traci Houpapa, recipient of the Māori Governance Leader Award.
Noho ora mai
Suz Jessep
