Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Gordon Campbell | Parliament TV | Parliament Today | News Video | Crime | Employers | Housing | Immigration | Legal | Local Govt. | Maori | Welfare | Unions | Youth | Search

 

Youth take the lead on New Zealand-Asia relations

Youth take the lead on New Zealand-Asia relations

Twenty-five young people who represent the future of the Asia-New Zealand relationship have been acknowledged as ‘ones to watch’, by the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono.

They come from all walks of life – they’re enterprising high school students, politically-minded academics, dancers, artists and sportspeople.

The Foundation chose to recognise young people aged 16 to 25 because they’re the people who hold the key to New Zealand’s future relationship with Asia.

The Foundation’s executive director Simon Draper says young people should not be underestimated – they have skill sets that add immense value to workplaces, community groups and beyond.

“It is exciting for the Foundation to seize the opportunity in our 25th year to recognise not only the people who are already working in the Asia-New Zealand space, but also the young people who will become leaders in the space in the future,” Mr Draper says.

“In the last 25 years we have seen many inspirational leaders who helped strengthen New Zealand’s relations with Asia. And as we look ahead, we want to develop the next generation of leaders. These are the high achievers who are already demonstrating maturity beyond their years and an ability to inspire and engage others. They are people to watch.”

The Foundation is committed to developing the next generation of leaders, especially with its 400-strong cohort of Leadership Network members. The 25 to Watch will receive leadership development guidance as part of their recognition, including a mentor.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

The 25 to Watch will be formally acknowledged by the Foundation and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Rt Hon. Winston Peters at a ceremony on October 17 at Parliament.

25 to Watch wraps up the Foundation’s 25th anniversary celebrations; 25 years that have seen the organisation grow to be the pre-eminent organisation in New Zealand focused on Asia. The Foundation was originally named Asia 2000 in 1994, by then Minister for Trade Negotiations Philip Burdon and then Minister of Foreign Affairs Sir Don McKinnon. The name Asia 2000 represented the ambitious mission to have completed building New Zealanders’ knowledge and understanding of Asia.

Clearly the work is not yet finished as the Foundation continues to help thousands of New Zealanders to thrive in Asia every year.

Mr Draper is particularly excited about the opportunity to recognise the 25 young leaders on October 17 to cap off the Foundation’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

“Our 25th year is an opportunity to celebrate the leaders of yesterday, of today and most importantly, the leaders of tomorrow who will grow and nurture New Zealand’s relationship with Asia into the future.”

The names of the 25 to Watch are listed below:

Business and Entrepreneurship category

* Amelia Morgan, 23, from Christchurch
* Angad Nayyar, 25, Auckland
* Brad Olsen, 22, Wellington
* Fergus Grenfell, 23, Wellington
* Jacinta Gulasekharam, 23, Wellington
* Olivia Moore, 16, Taupō
Community and Not-For-Profit category

¾ Dewy Sacayan, 25, Auckland

¾ Irihapeti Edwards, 20, Whangarei/Auckland

¾ Nina Santos, 20, Auckland

¾ Serena Lim-Strutt, 20, Hamilton (currently in Copenhagen, Denmark)

¾ Sophia Meilee Nem, 18, Hutt Valley

¾ Tharaka Munidasa, 23, Auckland
Education, Science and Research category

¾ April McLennan, 22, Christchurch

¾ Arina Aizal, 20, Dunedin

¾ Elora Chang, 22, Dunedin

¾ Logan Williams, 23, Christchurch

¾ Shalini Guleria, 25, Hamilton

¾ Wesley Harfield, 24, Auckland (currently in Beijing, China)
Media, Arts, Culture and Sports category

¾ Alvin Cheung, 23, Auckland

¾ Jessie Chiang, 24, Auckland

¾ Pounamu Wharehinga, 17, Gisborne

¾ Sheryne Lok, 25, Auckland

¾ Xavier Breed, 23, Auckland
Public Sector category

* Connie Minett, 25, Wellington
* Mabel Ye, 24, Wellington

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines



Gordon Campbell: On Dune 2, And Images Of Islam


Depictions of Islam in Western popular culture have rarely been positive, even before 9/11. Five years on from the mosque shootings, this is one of the cultural headwinds that the Muslim community has to battle against. Whatever messages of tolerance and inclusion are offered in daylight, much of our culture tends to be hostile to Islam when we’re sitting in the dark, with popcorn.
Any number of movie examples come to mind, beginning with Rudolf Valentino’s role (over a century ago) as the romantic Arab hero in The Sheik...
More


 
 


Government: One-stop Shop Major Projects On The Fast Track

The Coalition Government’s new one-stop-shop fast track consenting regime for regional and national projects of significance will cut red tape and make it easier for New Zealand to build the infrastructure and major projects needed to get the country moving again... More

ALSO:


Government: GPS 2024: Over $20 Billion To Get Transport Back On Track
Transport Minister Simeon Brown has released the draft Government Policy Statement (GPS) on Land Transport, outlining the Coalition Government’s plan to build and maintain a transport system that enables people to get to where they need to go quickly and safely... More

ALSO:

Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.