25 to Watch

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…

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.

Brad is a senior economist at leading economic consultancy Infometrics.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

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

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’.