NZ Honorary Advisers

Melissa Lee was born in Korea and grew up in Malaysia, settling in New Zealand in 1988. She has more than 20 years' journalism experience, including a five-year stint with the Sunday News.

Simon Watt is a consultant, former partner and board member in the Wellington office of the national law firm Bell Gully and has led Bell Gully' s public law and climate change practices.

Danny Chan is an experienced director, with extensive accounting, finance, investment management and education experience.

Tania Te Whenua (Tūhoe, Whakatōhea) BA LLB AGNZ is principal of Te Whenua Law and Consulting, supporting organisations and the Crown to uphold the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi.

Sachie Nomura is a chef and food writer and is the owner of cooking school Sachie’s Kitchen.

Hon Philip Burdon has had a distinguished career across the fields of law, business, and politics.

Rob Fyfe is an experienced director, and former CEO of a global airline.

Traci Houpapa is the chair of the Federation of Māori Authorities (FoMA). She specialises in strategic and economic development.

Manying Ip is Professor in Asian Studies at Auckland University and the author of several critically acclaimed books on Chinese in New Zealand.

Sir Don McKinnon was first elected to parliament in 1978. He was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister in 1990 and became the longest-serving Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand's history.

Vanushi Walters was elected as the member of Parliament for Upper Harbour in 2020 and currently sits as Deputy Chair of the Justice Select Committee as well as a member of the Regulations Review Committee.

Sir Anand Satyanand has worked as a lawyer, Judge and Ombudsman and was New Zealand’s 19th Governor-General from 2006 until 2011.

Warrick is the managing partner of deals, tax and legal, and chairman and CEO of KPMG in Vietnam and Cambodia.

Lianne Dalziel’s third term as Mayor of Christchurch will be her last term after just over 30 years of public service.

Paula Tesoriero is chief executive at Whaikaha - The Ministry of Disabled People.

Sameer Handa is a company director and executive member of the India New Zealand Business Council (INZBC).

Kyle Murdoch is a chief executive, company director and producer with 20 years of experience working in the media industry in Asia.

Simon Murdoch is a former Secretary Foreign Affairs and Trade and served on the board of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.

Nicola Ngarewa is the principal of Spotswood College and is the Chairperson of Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand.

Josh Wharehinga is the Deputy Mayor of Gisborne District Council and has had a long connection with the Asia New Zealand Foundation as a former member of the Leadership Network.

Lyn Lim, (Huei Min Lim) MNZM originates from Malaysia and has strong interests and involvement in commercial and community activities relating to Asia.