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Seventy young people from throughout New Zealand and Asia are meeting in Tauranga today to brainstorm ways to strengthen relations between the two nations.
Five years since it was first started, the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s Young Leaders Network Reunion is an opportunity for young people to discuss ways of increasing New Zealand’s understanding of Asia.
Members of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Young Leaders Network Reunion are meeting in Tauranga this week.
Organised by Tauranga based Priority One, Tauranga was chosen to host the reunion as it is a focus point for the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
Priority One’s strategic projects manager, Greg Simmonds, is a founding member of the Asia NZ Foundation’s Young Leaders Network.
He says businesses and schools in the Western Bay of Plenty sub-region recognise the increasingly important role Asia plays in New Zealand’s future.
“Asia is a major market for local businesses, including ZESPRI and Comvita. Schools also recognise the importance of preparing students for a future where Asia plays a bigger role in global economics and politics. The creation of the Chinese community school in Tauranga is tangible evidence of this,” he says.
Asia New Zealand Foundation executive director Richard Grant says the network brings together a group of talented and inspiring young people who will forge New Zealand’s future relationship with Asia.
“Their enthusiasm to give back to the foundation and to New Zealand more broadly is unparalleled,” says Grant.
“When you look at the diversity of the group, one can only be encouraged that the future of New Zealand-Asia relations is in good hands.”
Fifteen young leaders will share their stories about forging ties between New Zealand and Asia including NZ Trade Commissioner in Singapore Ziena Jalil, who is responsible for developing bi-lateral trade in sectors including ICT, health, food, technology and services.
A group of 30 young leaders will visit nine secondary schools around the Bay of Plenty, while others will meet with local businesses wanting to strengthen their operations in Asian markets.
A public art exhibition is running alongside the reunion. Once Upon a Time in Asia features photographs taken by young leaders and is at Creative Tauranga until March 6.
