New executive director for the Asia New Zealand Foundation
New executive director for the Asia New Zealand Foundation
Simon Draper, a lead figure in New Zealand’s successful bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, has been appointed the new executive director of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
Mr Draper is an experienced diplomat whose current position is manager of the United Nations Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He spent two years studying Korean language before being posted to the New Zealand Embassy in Seoul (1992-1996).
He has held several leadership positions within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including as New Zealand’s Consul-General to New Caledonia (2008-2011) and as director in the chief executive’s office (2005-2008). He previously worked in the banking and consultancy sectors.
In announcing the appointment today, Asia New Zealand Foundation chairman John Luxton said the board was delighted to have appointed a candidate with a strong record of international engagement and the ability to work across cultures at the highest level.
“The future of New Zealand is intimately connected to developments in the Asia-Pacific region. Simon Draper has deep knowledge of international affairs and extensive experience forming international partnerships, which will serve him well in his new role at the Asia New Zealand Foundation.”
Mr Draper will take up the position of Asia New Zealand Foundation’s executive director in early September. He replaces John McKinnon, who took up the role of New Zealand’s Ambassador to China in January 2015.
Founded in 1994, the Asia New Zealand Foundation is the leading non-government organisation on New Zealand-Asia relations, with a range of programmes designed to equip New Zealanders with first-hand experience of Asia and to forge valuable links to the region.
The Foundation works in five main areas - business, arts and culture, education, media and research. In addition, it runs a Leadership Network and takes a lead role in track II (informal diplomacy) bilateral and multilateral dialogues in the Asia-Pacific region. For more information: www.asianz.org.nz
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