Why Asia matters

Asia:NZ has been building bridges between New Zealand and the countries of Asia for 13 years. It has been a time of dynamic change, both for New Zealand and the region.

New Zealand has long-standing ties with Asian countries. Now the nations of the region have emerged stronger than ever from the serious economic challenges of the 1990s, and have become centres of financial and political power. Asia is home to over half of humanity, to the world's two most populous nations, its largest Islamic population, the second largest economy, and to millions of international citizens with the world's fastest growing incomes.

"New Zealand and its prosperity are inextricably linked to the economies of Asia." Sir Dryden Spring, former chairman, Asia:NZ

Proximity and history have all played a role in pulling New Zealand closer to the expanding gravity of Asia. No other region of the world is now so important to New Zealand, nor for so many reasons.

Thousands of New Zealanders had personal experience of last century's Asian conflicts, and many later helped to address their legacy of poverty. And many New Zealanders remain involved today in both development and in the political and security issues of the region. More New Zealanders than ever before live in Asian countries.

"The education of non-Asian New Zealanders about Asia is a priority. It underpins everything else, including business and culture." Alan Pearson, Prime Consulting
 
Over one third of New Zealand's foreign trade is with Asia, Asian visitors generate one third of all tourism revenues, Asian students account for 80 percent of the international education sector, and one New Zealander in fifteen is now of Asian descent. Asian investment has created wealth for New Zealanders, and Asian cultures have had a growing influence on New Zealand cities and on sport, food and life-styles.

Asia is an integral part of New Zealand today, and will become a larger part tomorrow. The life of every New Zealander is touched by an Asian connection of some kind. The quality and extent of relationships with Asian communities at home and in the region will have a major influence on New Zealand's future.

Seriously Asia was an Asia:NZ project to bring together a wide range of perspectives on key Asia/New Zealand related issues, and to identify priority goals for practical action. The project was launched on August 29 2003, and culminated in a Forum at Parliament in November 2003.

The Forum discussed Issue Group proposals against a background of international and domestic perspectives provided by keynote speakers, expert commentators, and by an invited audience of 200 business, academic, education, ethnic, media, political and government sector participants.

You can read the outcomes of the project here:

The final report
Action report for December 2003 to 2004 - a progress report

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