Suzannah Jessep's June 2026 CE Update

New Zealanders' Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples

Now in its 29th year, the Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples report is a valuable snapshot showing New Zealanders' evolving relationship with Asia at a time when the region continues to grow in significance for our economic prosperity, security and wider international engagement.

This year's findings show that more New Zealanders than ever consider Asia crucial to New Zealand's future. Eighty-one percent of New Zealanders say developing ties with the peoples and countries of Asia is important, with 39 percent describing it as very important.

At the same time, attitudes continue to evolve. One of the standout findings this year was a modest warming in perceptions of China, against a sharp decline in perceptions of the United States. New Zealanders now see China as slightly more friendly to New Zealand than the United States.

The report has been launched at events in Wellington and Auckland, with a Christchurch launch scheduled for 14 July

Against this backdrop, New Zealanders are increasingly placing their trust in so-called ‘middle powers’, particularly those in Asia. Japan has now overtaken the United Kingdom as New Zealand's second most trusted partner after Australia, highlighting the growing importance many New Zealanders place on relationships within the region. We’ve also seen Singapore rated our most likeminded country in Asia, and countries like South Korea, the Philippines, and India rated as increasingly important across various metrics.

The report launch itself was a tremendous success. More than 120 people joined us at Victoria University of Wellington to hear the results and listen to an expert panel reflect on what they mean for us in our daily lives. A report launch event was also held in Auckland, with a Christchurch launch scheduled for 14 July.

I would like to thank the panel and everyone who attended, and especially my colleagues, whose hard work goes into producing and promoting this important piece of research each year.

Download the full report

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Taking the report to Australia

Following the launch, I led a Track II visit to Australia with the Foundation's director of research and engagement, Dr Julia Macdonald, and Foundation trustee Professor David Capie. We met with Australian counterparts in Sydney, Canberra, and Melbourne and heard fascinating comparisons and perspectives on Australia’s foreign policy, trade relations, and security outlook.

In short, Australia and New Zealand place the highest level of trust in each other, but we are both grappling with a region that is more contested, unstable, and unpredictable. For Australia, security issues tend to be seen as paramount, while for New Zealand trade and economic connectivity tends to be our existential concern.

I also had the chance to catch up with some of our Australia-based Leadership Network members, who are doing fantastic work in their fields.

Indian agribusiness leaders visit New Zealand

The group spent a week connecting with New Zealand growers, exporters, agritech innovators and industry leaders

Back in New Zealand, the Foundation welcomed ten of India’s emerging agribusiness leaders through our New Zealand India Entrepreneurship Initiative (NZIEI). The group spent a week connecting with New Zealand growers, exporters, agritech innovators, and industry leaders across Tauranga, Waikato, and Auckland, with their visit concluding at Fieldays in Hamilton.

It was particularly encouraging to see a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between New Zealand compliance platform QLBS and Indian agritech company, Map My Crop.

The partnership will explore opportunities to strengthen digital innovation and agricultural supply chains. It also demonstrates the growing interest among India's agritech sector in learning from and partnering with New Zealand counterparts. It’s exactly the kind of practical, business-to-business collaboration the NZIEI programme was established to foster.

Building New Zealand–India creative connections

The film creatives spent a week in India, meeting with filmmakers, producers, educators and students

Continuing the theme of growing collaboration and connections between New Zealand and India, the Foundation supported five emerging New Zealand screen creatives to travel to Mumbai earlier this month.

During their week in India’s film capital, the group deepened their understanding of India's dynamic film industry and forged new relationships through meetings with filmmakers, producers, educators and students, as well as screenings and discussions at the Mumbai International Film Festival.

The programme comes at a time when New Zealand's relationship with India is becoming not only stronger, but increasingly more diverse.

In our latest New Zealanders' Perceptions of Asia research, we found that India is now the fourth most-consumed source of Asian-produced entertainment among New Zealanders, behind only Japan, South Korea, and China.

As more New Zealanders engage with Indian culture and creative content, programmes such as this help build the professional relationships, knowledge, and understanding needed to support future collaboration between our two countries.

China Business Summit highlights economic opportunities and challenges

Professor James Laurenceson speaking at the China Business Summit

The Foundation was pleased to support Professor James Laurenceson from the University of Technology Sydney to speak at the China Business Summit in Auckland.

James is one of Australasia's leading experts on China's economy, and his insights contributed to important discussions about New Zealand's economic relationship with China and the broader regional environment in which businesses are operating. Professor Laurenceson also braved the gale-force winds to join us in Wellington for a Track II roundtable with Asia experts.

Our newest interns head to Asia

Before I sign off, I would like to wish our newest cohort of Foundation interns all the best as they head off to assignments with organisations across Asia. Over the next three months, they will gain valuable experience, build lasting connections, and deepen their understanding of the region. I look forward to following their journeys in the months ahead.

Finally, we'll be taking the conversation around our latest New Zealanders' Perceptions of Asia report to Christchurch on 14 July. If you're in the region, I hope you'll join us for what promises to be another engaging conversation about New Zealand's relationship with Asia.

I hope you stay warm and well as winter really starts to bite.

Kia pai tō rā,

Suzannah Jessep