Suzannah Jessep's September 2026 CE Update
Kia ora koutou. One of the privileges of serving as chief executive is having the opportunity to learn from other leaders across Asia who are spending their working hours thinking deeply about our region’s future. That was certainly the case when I met Shai Ganu from Singapore, whom we brought to New Zealand to speak at this year’s Institute of Directors Leadership Conference.
The Foundation's director business and entrepreneurship, Tim McCready, interviewing Shai Ganu at the Institute of Directors Leadership Conference in Wellington
Shai advises boards across Asia and posed a challenge to the New Zealand audience: what does it actually mean for New Zealand directors to be Asia literate?
Too often, we still talk about Asia as though it is a single market or a single culture. In reality, Asia is home to more than half the world's population, over 40 countries, dozens of major languages and an extraordinary diversity of political, cultural and commercial systems.
Success in the region depends not on applying a standard playbook, but on understanding these differences and adapting accordingly.
I was also struck by Shai's reflections on stewardship. Drawing parallels with the Māori concept of kaitiakitanga, he asked whether leaders are building organisations for the next reporting cycle or for the next century.
He framed it as the difference between creating a Fortune 500 company and a 500-year company.
At a time when short-term pressures dominate so much of public and corporate life, it was a timely reminder that the most important decisions reveal their full impact between generations, not just between board meetings.
Malaysian squash star Datuk Nicol David spoke to sporting bodies, educators and community leaders across Auckland and Wellington about the power of sport to build confidence and resilience in young people
Thinking long term was also a theme in another highlight this month: welcoming Datuk Nicol David to New Zealand.
For those unfamiliar with her achievements, Nicol spent a record-breaking 108 consecutive months ranked world number one in squash and is widely regarded as one of the greatest athletes ever produced by Malaysia.
Nicol spent a week engaging with New Zealand’s sporting bodies, educators and community leaders across Auckland and Wellington.
Their conversations reinforced something that is becoming increasingly clear across Asia and New Zealand alike: sport is no longer viewed solely as competition; it is increasingly recognised as a powerful tool for building resilience, self-confidence, social connection and leadership among young people – particularly in the face of corrosive social media pressure.
Earlier this month, I was pleased to speak at the University of Canterbury's sixth Conference on Indo-Pacific Security – a conference that has been supported by our track II diplomacy team since its inception.
Professor Alex Tan and Raf Maji in conversation at University of Canterbury's sixth Conference on Indo-Pacific Security
Discussions ranged from Japan's response to Trump, tariffs and the Taiwan Strait, to competition over critical technologies and for minerals.
While these issues can sometimes seem distant from New Zealand, the reality is that many of the decisions being made across the Indo-Pacific today will shape the economic and strategic environment we operate in for decades to come.
That message was echoed at Christchurch's Global Cities Conference, which explored how New Zealand's cities can strengthen connections with counterpart cities across Asia.
It is easy to think about international relationships primarily through the lens of governments, businesses or individuals, yet we see some really dynamic and long-standing engagement happening at the city-to-city level.
Our track II programme manager, Dr James To, moderated a panel with senior representatives from India and the Philippines, exploring how cities across South and Southeast Asia can connect with New Zealand.
Given that Asia is expected to account for around two-thirds of global middle-class consumption by 2030, these relationships are not only good for our communities but are also really important for our economy.
James also represented the Foundation at the ASEAN Think Tank Summit in Jakarta, where conversations focused on issues likely to define the region's future: energy security, sustainability, AI adoption and transnational security challenges.
Suz catching up with last year's participants of the New Zealand India Entrepreneurship Initiative
For me personally, one of the most rewarding moments of the month came in Delhi last week, at the first offshore reunion of participants from our New Zealand India Entrepreneurship Initiative.
Hosted by the Foundation’s Tim McCready at the New Zealand High Commission, the event brought together entrepreneurs from the 2025 and 2026 cohorts who have spent time building connections in New Zealand.
Seeing participants reconnect, exchange ideas and brainstorm new opportunities for the New Zealand-India relationship was a great reminder that people – and the connections we build – are our most valuable asset in Asia.
Looking ahead, a delegation of ten health and beauty entrepreneurs will depart for Malaysia on Saturday as part of the Foundation’s ASEAN Young Business Leaders Initiative (YBLI), which facilitates trade and builds connections between business leaders and entrepreneurs in New Zealand and Southeast Asia. The visit will give the group an opportunity to make industry connections and gain first-hand insight into what it takes to enter the Southeast Asian market.
Malaysia offers a fascinating entry point to the region: young, digitally connected, outward-looking and strategically positioned at the heart of ASEAN's 680 million consumers.
We're also recruiting for a new programme coordinator for the Leadership Network. We’ve already had over 90 applications for the role, so that’s a good sign! Like our newly selected Leadership Network members (we'll introduce you to the new members in next month's newsletter), I look forward to welcoming this new staff member onto our team.
As we head into the final stretch of the year, the pace of activity continues to build.
What ties many of this month's engagements together is a common theme: the power and value of relationships. But to get relationships right, we have to get out into the region with understanding and cultural capability, and we have to listen and learn.
Whether in diplomacy, business, education, sport, the arts, or entrepreneurship, New Zealand's success in Asia increasingly depends on getting this balance right. Done well, New Zealand is set to excel in this most important region.
Take care, everyone. As we move through another busy month, I hope you can find a moment to pause, recharge, and enjoy the changing seasons.
Wherever you are, I hope the sky is blue, and there is something in your day that brings a smile.
Ngā mihi,
Suz
