25 to Watch


Businessandentrepreneurship
Amelia Morgan,
Christchurch

A Law and Arts student at University of Canterbury, Amelia has developed a strong connection with China. She received a Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia to study at Peking University, followed by…

Businessandentrepreneurship
Angad Nayyar,
Auckland

Angad Nayyar is the CEO and co-founder of StrutFit, a tech startup that is working closely with the largest footwear retailers in Australasia to use technology to completely transform the customer experience.

Businessandentrepreneurship
Brad Olsen,
Wellington

Brad is a senior economist at leading economic consultancy Infometrics.

Businessandentrepreneurship
Fergus Grenfell,
Wellington

Fergus is currently completing his International Business, Marketing and Anthropology degree, before beginning full-time as the executive officer for ExportNZ Wellington later this month.

Businessandentrepreneurship
Jacinta Gulasekharam,
Wellington

Jacinta is a social entrepreneur and advocate working in Wellington on national-scale projects.

Businessandentrepreneurship
Olivia Moore,
Taupō

Olivia Moore is the CEO and founder of two food-related businesses, which help to strengthen New Zealand-Asia relations through food and nutrition, embracing Asian cuisine and business culture.

Businessandentrepreneurship
Pounamu Wharehinga,
Gisborne

A graduate of the Pao Pao Pao Māori music academy, Pou has a collaborative music style, and a dream to use music to share ideas and messages with others -particularly youth.

CommunityandNot-For-Profit
Dewy Sacayan,
Auckland

Dewy is a litigation lawyer by day and a climate activist by night.

CommunityandNot-For-Profit
Irihapeti Edwards,
Whangarei/Auckland

Irihapeti was awarded the 2019 New Zealand Youth Leadership Award, and is one of the youngest recipients of the Prime Minister's Scholarship before becoming the youngest delegate in the UN Youth GlobalisationTour to Asia.

CommunityandNot-For-Profit
Nina Santos,
Auckland

Nina hails from the bustling streets of Manila, where her passion for social justice and sustainability is rooted.

CommunityandNot-For-Profit
Sophia Meilee Nem,
Hutt Valley

A New Zealand-born Chinese/Cambodian, Sophia actively works with the Philippine Embassy to engage young people in her community in leadership, politics and global citizenship.

CommunityandNot-For-Profit
Tharaka Munidasa,
Auckland

Tharaka is currently working as an Infrastructure Advisory Consultant at Aurecon and Project Manager/Advisor for the Glenn Family Foundation Programme in Sri Lanka.

Education,ScienceandResearch
Serena Lim-Strutt,
Hamilton

In 2016, Serena was awarded a Robertson Scholars Leadership Scholarship to attend Duke University in the United States, where she is studying neuroscience and philosophy, though currently undertaking a semester in Copenhagen.

Education,ScienceandResearch
April McLennan,
Christchurch

April is the founder and team lead for Limitless, an organisation which aims to equip young people to hold greater agency over their future career pathways, and to pursue work that aligns with their strengths and values.

Education,ScienceandResearch
Arina Aizal,
Dunedin

Inspired by her primary school experience in Aotearoa, Malaysian student Arina returned to this country to study at the University of Otago.

Education,ScienceandResearch
Elora Chang,
Dunedin

Elora is a technologist, entrepreneur and passionate advocate for women in STEM.

Education,ScienceandResearch
Logan Williams,
Ōtautahi/Christchurch

Logan is the director of technology and innovation at the New Zealand Merino Company where he is leading a multimillion-dollar R&D portfolio, dedicated to generating higher-value for farmers.

Education,ScienceandResearch
Shalini Guleria,
Hamilton

Born in India and raised in New Zealand, Shalini is currently pursuing a PhD at Olivia Newton John Cancer Research Institute in Melbourne.

Education,ScienceandResearch
Wesley Harfield,
Auckland

Wesley is the first New Zealander to be selected to study at the prestigious Yenching Academy of Peking University, where he is currently completing a Master of Economics under a Robin Li (founder of Baidu) scholarship.

Media,Arts,CultureandSports
Alvin Cheung,
Auckland

Alvin has been working closely with the Asian community in the North Harbour region in Auckland over the last two years with his roles at Northern Football Federation and Harbour Sport.

Media,Arts,CultureandSports
Jessie Chiang,
Auckland

Jessie has been a reporter for Radio New Zealand since early 2017 and has a keen interest in South Auckland stories.

Media,Arts,CultureandSports
Sheryne Lok,
Auckland

With more than five years’ experience in the sport and recreation sector, Sheryne currently works as a Parks, Sport and Recreation Consultant.

Media,Arts,CultureandSports
Xavier Breed,
Auckland

Xavier is an international advisor at the University of Auckland with a portfolio for Māori and Pasifika, the director of Manu Collective, and an independent choreographer and artist.

PublicSector
Connie Minett,
Wellington

Connie has long had an interest in Chinese culture and language and started learning Chinese by moving to Taiwan directly after finishing high school.

PublicSector
Mabel Ye,
Wellington

Mabel is a Chinese New Zealander who is passionate about building connections.

PublicSector
About our 25 to Watch

In 2019, to Mark the Foundation's 25 anniversary, the Foundation chose twenty-five young people who represent the future of the Asia-New Zealand relationship as ‘ones to watch’.