Suzannah Jessep’s November 2025 CE Update
Kia ora! I’m thrilled to report on another super-productive month at the Asia New Zealand Foundation. We’ve launched new research, inducted new members of our Leadership Network, been involved in loads of cultural collaborations, and connected with an impressive array of leading thinkers both here in New Zealand and across Asia. I made a visit to Hong Kong and China as a guest of the New Zealand China Council, and over the last couple of weeks we’ve had delegations in Viet Nam and Sri Lanka.
How does Southeast Asia see us?
Southeast Asian Perceptions of New Zealand
One of the Foundation’s most significant projects this month was the release of a new research report, Southeast Asian Perceptions of New Zealand.
For nearly three decades, the Foundation’s Perceptions of Asia research has tracked how New Zealanders see Asia. This year, we turned the lens around, and asked 200 international relations experts across Singapore, Indonesia, the Philippines and Malaysia how they see New Zealand.
Launched last week in Wellington at an event co-hosted with the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, the report goes beyond familiar images of The Lord of the Rings, ‘clean-green’ imagery, and the All Blacks to explore how people in Southeast Asia with an understanding of New Zealand and its foreign policy perceive our country.
FIG 14. What issues should New Zealand have a stronger stance on?
What issues should New Zealand have a stronger stance on?
To be honest, I was expecting some critical feedback. Instead, the findings show that New Zealand enjoys a phenomenally strong, positive reputation. We are seen to be living up to our values and commitments, are trusted, and are considered a close friend to the region. If there was a call to action, it was that the region would like New Zealand to take a bolder stance on global challenges such as climate change and to continue to step-up in areas like maritime security.
Read the full report here
ASEAN-New Zealand people-to-people connections: new report
I’ll also take this opportunity to quickly mention another report the Foundation published this month: Relations and relationships: 50 years of people movements from ASEAN countries to NZ. This report, written by Professor Kate McMillan and the Foundation’s research programme manager Alex Smith, is the third in a series of pieces that mark 50 years of relations between New Zealand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
The Buivan family from Viet Nam in their Tasman Street shop in 1982
For half a century, flows of people from Southeast Asia – migrants, tourists, students, and refugees – have played a vital role in shaping New Zealand. The report explores how these connections have evolved and tells some fascinating stories about life in New Zealand for early migrants. It’s a great summer read, for those who are interested.
Visit to Hong Kong and China
The New Zealand delegation alongside China Development Institute delegates and New Zealand Consul Michael Zhang following track II talks in Shenzhen
Two weeks ago, I returned from a visit to Hong Kong and mainland China (Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen) where I met with senior stakeholders, media representatives, businesspeople, academics, officials and leading experts.
Travelling as a guest of the New Zealand China Council, alongside the Council’s chair John McKinnon, executive director Alistair Crozier, and academic Andrew Wilford, the trip provided me with an opportunity to gauge the temperature of the New Zealand-China relationship.
While there is no question we’re operating in a more challenging environment, it was encouraging to see how well many New Zealand businesses are doing in China and that sentiment toward New Zealand is largely positive.
It was also great to see New Zealand artists involved in the Shanghai Biennale and other activities happening that help us to grow cross-cultural understanding.
For New Zealand, the task is to build on shared positives while navigating the various headwinds we’ll invariably face as China continues to grow and expand its regional influence. My thanks to John and the Council for the fascinating visit!
Leadership Network members visit Sri Lanka
The network members meeting with the chairman of multinational conglomerate Hayleys PLC, Mohan Pandithage, accompanied by New Zealand High Commissioner David Pine
This month, a group of 14 Leadership Network members travelled to Sri Lanka as part of the ‘Sri Lanka Hui’ – an incredible opportunity for our young leaders to develop their understanding of the South Asian nation, meet with leading non-profits, speak to business leaders, and learn about Sri Lanka’s history and struggles. The hui included meetings with the New Zealand High Commission, as well as networking opportunities and cultural visits.
Our Leadership Network brings together emerging leaders who will help shape the future of New Zealand’s engagement with Asia. Research shows that taking them to the region is one of the most impactful ways we can help build their knowledge, confidence, connections and Asia capability.
Forum celebrates South Korea-New Zealand connections
Last month, I was honoured to be the keynote speaker at the Korea–New Zealand Smart Cooperation Forum 2025, hosted by the Korea New Zealand Business Council to mark the 10th anniversary of the free trade agreement between our two countries. Attended by more than one hundred business representatives, including many who had flown in from Korea, the event reflected on a decade of partnership and explored new avenues for collaboration in trade, infrastructure, energy, and other strategic sectors.
Suz speaking at the Korea–New Zealand Smart Cooperation Forum in Auckland
Our latest Perceptions of Asia research shows that New Zealanders increasingly recognise South Korea’s importance to New Zealand’s future, viewing it as one of our closest friends in the region. At the summit, I spoke about these findings and the “K Factor”, or the merging of Korean and Kiwi energy, creativity and innovation.
Yesterday evening, the Foundation hosted an Asia After Five in Wellington featuring Ambassador Sonam Tobgay, Bhutan’s first-ever Ambassador to Australia. As far as I am aware, this is the first time the Foundation has ever hosted a Bhutanese diplomat – so it was great to connect with Sonam and hear all about Bhutan and how it sees the world.
Coming up, we’re looking forward to hosting one of Singapore’s leading thinkers, Joseph Liow, who is also one of our inaugural senior fellows. He will be visiting Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, and if you’re interested in hearing him speak, come along to Singapore and the Indo-Pacific in an Age of Geopolitical Competition, to be held in Wellington on 25 November in partnership with our trustee, Professor David Capie, head of the Centre for Strategic Studies.
Nga mihi,
Suzannah Jessep
