Despite COVID-19 making the past year one of the more challenging ones in the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s history, it has also been one of significant developments and milestones.
In October 2019 the Foundation celebrated its 25th Anniversary with a “25 to Watch” event at Parliament, highlighting 25 young people committed to strengthening ties between New Zealand and Asia. This capped off a range of activities that not only reflected on New Zealand’s engagement with Asia over 25 years but also looked to the future.
In January, the Foundation strengthened its reach in the South Island with the opening of a Christchurch presence, and the appointment of Alistair Crozier as South Island Establishment Manager.
2019-20 saw two of our programmes reviewed externally, with positive findings. The findings of an independent review of the Asia Media Centre, established by the Foundation in 2017, resulted in the Board agreeing to fund the centre on an ongoing basis following its initial two-year trial. The Asia Media Centre builds on the Foundation’s long investment in supporting New Zealand media to cover Asia, and we see this work as more important than ever in 2020.
An independent evaluation of the Young Business Leaders Initiative (YBLI), managed by the Foundation for New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), found the programme was helping to forge enduring two-way trade and business relationships between young business leaders and business communities from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and New Zealand. The review called the programme “careful, casual and curated” and recommended that MFAT continue to invest in the programme in the coming years.
Before the travel restrictions created by COVID-19, we were delighted to be able to connect with several of our Asia Honorary Advisers, both here in New Zealand and during visits to Asia. In 2020, we have been honoured to welcome businessman Amane Nakashima, President of Nakashimato Co and Chairman of Kewpie Corp, as a new Honorary Adviser in Japan. Since the early 2000s, Mr Nakashima has provided annual funding, administered by the Foundation, for initiatives that support New Zealand students to learn about Japan.
We know Asia will be vital to New Zealand’s social and economic recovery from COVID-19. The Foundation’s established connections in Asia are of particular importance for maintaining engagement with the region in these challenging times, and for growing New Zealanders’ knowledge of the region.
I would like to acknowledge the work of my fellow trustees Simon Murdoch (deputy chairman), Danny Chan, Lyn Lim, Raf Manji, Simon Watt, Chris Seed (ex-officio) and to formally welcome Hon Dame Fran Wilde, who was appointed to the board following former deputy chairman Hon Steve Maharey’s term.
I give sincere thanks to my fellow board members, the Foundation’s Honorary Advisers, our staff, and our friends and partners in both Asia and New Zealand for all their support over the past year.
Hon John Luxton CNZM QSO
Chair