Featured YLN members
We have a growing network of over 300 members. In this section you can learn more about them by reading fortnightly feature profiles.
![]() | Michelle McCarthy: International Management and Japanese at the University of WaikatoThe Hamilton-based Young Leader discusses her long-held interest in Japanese language and culture |
![]() | Reuben Todd: Knowledge of China critical for our futureChristchurch-based Reuben Todd’s interest in Chinese language and culture stems from when he was a teenager. |
![]() | Debra Atkin: An immersion in the Japanese languageIn June 2009 the intermediate teacher spent a month at the Ministry of Education Japanese language immersion programme in Fukuoka. |
Anita Perkins: Researching the cultural identity of migrantsThe Otago MA graduate also discusses her love of Japan | |
Ziena Jalil: Promoting New Zealand Inc in North AsiaThe Hong Kong-based young leader is Regional Marketing and Communications Manager with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise. | |
| Harita Gandhi: Pursuing academic and community interests in WellingtonShe is currently in her fourth year at Victoria University doing a BCA Honours in Management. |
Graham Rhodes: Modern Chinese studies at OxfordGraham Rhodes left for Oxford University in September 2009 to study Masters of Philosophy in Modern Chinese Studies. He intends to investigate New Zealand’s China strategy. | |
| Undertaking a Yale PhD in VietnamAcademic Haydon Cherry currently spends most of his days at Ho Chi Minh City’s National Archive Centre II reading documents on the lives of the urban poor. |
Joe Lawson: Uncovering history in remote ChinaJoe Lawson's PhD research focuses on Chinese society in the mountainous regions of west and south of Sichuan, in the first half of the twentieth century. | |
Working the Beijing Olympics: Jack SheppardUpon graduation Tom was the recipient of an Asia:NZ China Scholarship which funded two years of Mandarin studies at Nanjing University. | |
![]() | Oxford University scholar: Tom GriffithsTom’s academic concentration has been mostly on China, but he maintains a keen awareness of the region at large. |
![]() | Public health in Vietnam : Sylvia SmythSylvia has gained a wealth of travel experience in Asia and academic and work experience in the area of Public Health.
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Environment management in Christchurch: Kongmeng LyKongmeng, originally from Laos, is currently in his second semester of a scholarship-funded Master’s degree at Lincoln University in Christchurch. | |
Building a bridge between New Zealand and Asia: Alexandra LeeA self-described ‘Kowi’, (a Kiwi of Korean descent), Auckland-based Alexandra balances her professional time between a position at the University of Auckland, and working as an architect for Babbage Consultants | |
Intercultural awareness: Maha Shaktiswara KepakisanSince the age of eighteen, Maha has been living in New Zealand, and is now in his final year of a degree in Accounting and International Management at the University of Otago. | |
| A career in forestry research: Manoj DubeyManoj was raised in a small town in rural India. Childhood exposure to surrounding forests and local saw mills inspired his current career path in forestry. |
Lost in translation: Lulu WuLulu writes about her life-changing experience while studying in Japan. | |
Promoting Asian arts in Auckland: Bevan ChuanBevan has been involved with Spotlight on Diversity Arts Ambassadors Programme since March 2008 |























