Suzannah Jessep's July 2026 CE Update
Kia ora koutou — welcome to this month's update. Every week seems to bring another reminder of just how dynamic Asia has become. Over the past few weeks, we've had the privilege of working with partners across Asia and New Zealand on issues ranging from geopolitics and trade to the arts, sport and people-to-people connections. It's amazing to see how quickly conversations evolve.
Discussions about artificial intelligence have shifted from speculation about what might be possible to practical questions about how governments, businesses and communities should respond.
There are, of course, many uncertainties (particularly about the future of work) but there is also genuine optimism about breakthroughs in areas such as medicine that have the potential to improve people's lives.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon greeting Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he arrives in New Zealand
This month, we welcomed India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to New Zealand — the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in four decades. I was honoured to be part of the CEOs' business roundtable and lunch and to meet members of the Indian delegation.
In a world of increasing uncertainty, small countries like New Zealand need more friends and more options, and India is fast becoming one of New Zealand’s more consequential friends in the region.
Our international Senior Fellow Dhruva Jaishankar , who we look forward to hosting in New Zealand early next month, also wrote a great piece for the Asia Media Centre on the visit and how we can build on the recently signed FTA: NZ-India FTA: Where to Next.
Dhruva is the executive director of think tank, Observer Research Foundation, America. During his visit, Dhruva will meet with politicians, government officials, and Māori leaders and take part in a number of expert roundtables. If you're in Auckland, and interested in the New Zealand-India relationship, I encourage you to join us an event we’re co-hosting with the Auckland Business Chamber on 11 August.
Turning to our awesome Leadership Network - applications for our 2026 intake have now closed, and our team is working through a record number of applications. Over the coming weeks we'll carefully review each one before selecting our final cohort of 35 emerging leaders. Stay tuned to see who joins!
This year’s Asia Pacific Roundtable was themed ‘accelerating agency and action’
In late June, the Foundation led a Track II delegation to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for the 39th Asia Pacific Roundtable (APR). APR is one of many long-running strategic dialogues that bring together experts and leading figures from all over the Asia-Pacific.
This year’s roundtable was themed ‘accelerating agency and action’ and examined how small and middle powers are responding to an increasingly complex geopolitical environment.
Some readers may not be aware, but New Zealand was involved in the defence of Malaya during the Malayan Emergency,1948-1960, making Malaysia one of the few Asian countries where New Zealand had a significant military presence in the 20th century. New Zealand air force personnel, soldiers, and naval forces supported Commonwealth efforts during the conflict.
For our delegation at APR, the value of the visit extends well beyond the conference sessions. Our visit programmes include a wider range of meetings and site visits to deepen our delegation's understanding of Malaysia, the bilateral relationship, and wider Southeast Asia dynamics.
These visits are also a reminder that Southeast Asia is one of the world's most dynamic regions. While much of the developed world — including Japan, China and New Zealand — is aging, Southeast Asia remains comparatively young, urbanising rapidly and growing economically. These are markets, partners and communities that will only become more important for New Zealand.
One of the highlights of our visit to Malaysia was the NextGen Masterclass, a programme designed and delivered by our own Dr James To over several years.
The NextGen Asia Pacific Roundtable delegates
The Masterclass brings together emerging scholars from across the region attending APR, equipping them with the confidence, connections and understanding of the key strategic issues that will shape the discussions throughout the conference.
As regional dynamics become increasingly complex, investing in these trusted networks and informed conversations is more important than ever. They not only strengthen relationships among the region's next generation of leaders but also help New Zealand deepen its understanding of the Indo-Pacific and advance its long-term interests.
Now to the arts programme! This month, we were delighted to support Indonesian curator Grace Samboh to visit New Zealand, where she spoke with artists, curators, galleries and arts organisations in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch about Indonesia’s dynamic visual arts sector.
Building on a connection made through the Foundation’s curators’ delegation to Indonesia last year, Grace’s time in New Zealand is a great example of how international exchanges can spark relationships and collaborations that continue to grow long after a programme has ended.
In New Zealand, Grace connected with arts professionals in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch
Before I sign off, I’d like to quickly thank a few people who have helped make our work possible recently.
In June, the Foundation was invited by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam to attend the ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi – a high-level gathering that brought together five prime ministers and other regional leaders and experts.
As I was unable to attend, I asked associate professor of international relations at Victoria University of Wellington, Dr Manjeet Pardesi, to attend on my behalf, which he kindly accepted. So, I’d like to extend a big thank you firstly to DAV for the invitation and to Manjeet for agreeing to represent the Foundation at the forum. You can read an Asia in Focus article Manjeet wrote about the forum here.
And thanks to those who attended our third and final launch event for this year’s Perceptions of Asia research. Held in Christchurch, the event was a chance for us to share some of the report’s key findings to a South Island audience and for those in attendance to ask questions of our expert panel. A special thanks to Fine Lavoni Koloamatangi, Alison Mann and Rosmary Banks for their insights as panellists.
I'd also like to thank iwi leaders Ngahiwi Tomoana and Kura Moeahu for the time they've shared with me over the past month. The Māori economy is thriving in and with Asia, but the benefits extend well beyond trade. Those commercial relationships have also fostered deep indigenous partnerships and cultural connections that strengthen New Zealand's engagement with the region and enrich our country as a whole.
And finally — a big thank you to you, as always, for your continued interest in and support of the Foundation's work – we couldn’t do it without you.
Before you go, I encourage you to explore some of our latest analysis on the Asia Media Centre and our Asia Insights page. This month, Dr Julia MacDonald, examines the growing nuclear risks in the Indo-Pacific, while Dr Jordan King explores how China's leadership in clean energy is becoming a source of strategic influence that extends well beyond climate policy.
Ngā mihi,
Suzannah Jessep
Chief Executive
Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono
