Recently six New Zealand sports leaders joined Kirsty Sharp, Manager of the the Asia New Zealand Foundation's Sports programme, for a trip to Singapore  and Malaysia to meet with and learn about the sports ecosystems in both countries.

Today on the podcast Kirsty catches up with Sport New Zealand's Claire George, who was one of the delegates  -to hear her observations and reflections post -trip.

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The ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn has been in New Zealand to mark the 50th Anniversary of the dialogue relationship. Today we catch up with him to discuss the role of ASEAN in turbulent times, where the organisation is headed, and the importance of the enduring links between ASEAN and Aotearoa. 

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This week we join Raf Manji, a Non-Resident Fellow at the Asia New Zealand Foundation, in conversation with Dr Reuben Abraham, the CEO of Artha Global, a Mumbai and London-based public policy organisation advising governments  around the world. The pair take a deep dive into the new India - economics, trade, technology, and foreign policy. -as NZ embarks on the latest round of talks towards a Free Trade Agreement. 

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Today on the podcast Dr Julia Macdonald, head of Research and Engagement at the Asia New Zealand Foundation, sits down with Vietnam’s Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Do Hung Viet, who earlier this year visited New Zealand as an ASEAN Prime Minister’s fellow.

Mr Viet was appointed Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs in 2022, following a diplomatic career that has focused on international organisations. He has held positions as Assistant Foreign Minister, Director-General of the Foreign Ministry’s International Organisations Department, and Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations. He will take up the position as Viet Nam’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations in mid 2025.

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In this episode of Asia Unfiltered, our host Arina Aizal chats to Nathan Taylor about his experiences growing up living in Indonesia as a teenager, and later living as an adult in China. 

Digressions include the unique experience of going from homeschooling in New Zealand to being dropped into the middle of a remote Indonesian jungle, a deep dive into the power of accents within linguistics, and how translation work is rather difficult when working with the made-up mystical worlds of Chinese video games. 

Asia Unfiltered is an exploration of the stories and experiences of young Kiwis abroad in Asia. Each episode will feature conversations between members of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono’s Leadership Network, and one of our two fellow Leadership Network hosts: Kii Small and Arina Aizal. This is the last episode of this season - we've hoped you've enjoyed the episodes so far!

The Leadership Network is a global professional network equipping the next generation of New Zealand leaders with the know-how to strengthen the New Zealand-Asia relationship. 

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In this episode of Asia Unfiltered, our host Arina Aizal chats to Yik Kun Heng about his experiences living… well, everywhere! Yik Kun has lived in Beijing, Hong Kong, Malaysia, New Zealand, Thailand, Vietnam, Switzerland, and now Chile. 
What's it like navigating identity as someone with a multicultural, international background, or to represent New Zealand in Wushu: the Chinese martial art, and how does political science blend into guidance counselling...??

Asia Unfiltered is an exploration of the stories and experiences of young Kiwis abroad in Asia. Each episode features conversations between members of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono’s Leadership Network, and one of our two fellow Leadership Network hosts: Kii Small and Arina Aizal. 

 The Leadership Network is a global professional network equipping the next generation of New Zealand leaders with the know-how to strengthen the New Zealand-Asia relationship. 

Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentre
Website asiamediacentre.org.nz
Email us at media@asianz.org.nz

Whakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

In this episode of Asia Unfiltered, our host Kii Small chats to Marcus Coll about his many experiences living in Japan over the years. Digressions include the power of learning a second language, how strange twists of fate can completely alter the course of your life, and how he uncovered a hidden hub of nuclear disarmament activism in Christchurch, New Zealand. 

Asia Unfiltered is an exploration of the stories and experiences of young Kiwis abroad in Asia. Each episode will feature conversations between members of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono’s Leadership Network, and one of our two fellow Leadership Network hosts: Kii Small and Arina Aizal. 

The Leadership Network is a global professional network equipping the next generation of New Zealand leaders with the know-how to strengthen the New Zealand-Asia relationship. 

Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentre
Website asiamediacentre.org.nz
Email us at media@asianz.org.nz

Whakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

A few weeks ago the Asia New Zealand Foundation celebrated its 30th Anniversary with an “Asia Summit” at Parliament in Wellington. Among the speakers and the panels on the day was a session looking at the NZ media’s relationship with Asia.

The panel comprised the Washington Post’s Asia-Pacific Editor Anna Fifield, Newsroom’s National Affairs Editor Sam Sachdeva, and journalist Jean Lee, currently working at the East-West Centre in Hawaii, but also a past bureau chief in North Korea for the Associated Press, and co-host of the award-winning podcast  "Lazarus Heist" podcast on the BBC World Service. 

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The Asia New Zealand Foundation recently led a delegation on a Track II diplomacy visit to Malaysia for the 16th ASEAN Australia/New Zealand Dialogue.
Foundation Trustee Hone McGregor and economist Brad Olsen were on the trip, and sat down with RNZ's Colin Peacock to discuss the key takeaways from their first Track II experience in Kuala Lumpur. 

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Today we welcome NATO permanent representatives Scott Oudkirk (US), Anita Nergaard (Norway) and Maris Riekstins (Latvia), who have been in Wellington to discuss the alliance's partner networks in the region, and the strengthening of the long-standing relationship with New Zealand.   

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In this episode of Asia Unfiltered, our host Kii Small chats to Magdeline Huang about her experiences living in South Korea. Digressions include unpacking cultural differences between New Zealand and South Korean life, what it’s like to work as a software engineer, and how you can combine being a woman in STEM with creative pursuits. 

Asia Unfiltered is an exploration of the stories and experiences of young Kiwis abroad in Asia. Each episode will feature conversations between members of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono’s Leadership Network, and one of our two fellow Leadership Network hosts: Kii Small and Arina Aizal. 

The Leadership Network is a global professional network equipping the next generation of New Zealand leaders with the know-how to strengthen the New Zealand-Asia relationship. 

Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentre
Website asiamediacentre.org.nz
Email us at media@asianz.org.nz

Whakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Jean Lee is a Korean American journalist and researcher based at the East-West Centre in Hawaii.  

She has spent a large part of her career covering North Korea and Northeast Asian affairs, and is co-host of the award-winning “Lazarus Heist” podcast for the BBC World Service, which delves into the Lazarus Group, a shadowy consortium of cyber-criminals working on behalf of the North Korean state.  

Jean was in New Zealand recently to speak at the Asia Summit, held in Wellington to mark the 30th Anniversary of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.

She sat down for a chat on the North Korea issue, and what’s at stake in 2024,  dealing with leader Kim Jong Un and his regime. 

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In this episode of Asia Unfiltered, our host Arina Aizal chats to Leonard Hong about his experiences currently studying his master’s in Singapore. Digressions include reflections on growing up in New Zealand as a Korean-Kiwi, what life is like as a bourgeoning political economist, and why you should stop what you’re doing and move to Singapore.

Asia Unfiltered is an exploration of the stories and experiences of young Kiwis abroad in Asia. Each episode will feature conversations between members of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono’s Leadership Network, and one of our two fellow Leadership Network hosts: Kii Small and Arina Aizal. 

The Leadership Network is a global professional network equipping the next generation of New Zealand leaders with the know-how to strengthen the New Zealand-Asia relationship. 

Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentre
Website asiamediacentre.org.nz
Email us at media@asianz.org.nz

Whakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

In this episode Lingy Au speaks with entrepreneur Bicky Nguyen from Vietnam. Bicky was recently in the country as a keynote speaker at the ASEAN NZ Business Council Forum. She is the driving force behind "CricketOne, a leading global supplier in cricket ingredients as a form of alternative protein.  

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In this episode of Asia Unfiltered, our host Arina Aizal chats to Lucy Luo about her experiences living in Singapore, Hong Kong, and China. Digressions include what it’s like to have a truly international job, how getting out of New Zealand and going abroad can fundamentally change your perspective on life, and how a background in law can be truly versatile. 

Asia Unfiltered is an exploration of the stories and experiences of young Kiwis abroad in Asia. Each episode will feature conversations between members of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono’s Leadership Network, and one of our two fellow Leadership Network hosts: Kii Small and Arina Aizal. 

The Leadership Network is a global professional network equipping the next generation of New Zealand leaders with the know-how to strengthen the New Zealand-Asia relationship. 

Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentre
Website asiamediacentre.org.nz
Email us at media@asianz.org.nz

Whakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Ryan Neelam is a former Diplomat and Director of Public Opinion and Foreign Policy at the Lowy Institute in Sydney. In this edition of Asia Insight he's in conversation with The Asia New Zealand Foundation's Research Director, Dr Julia MacDonald, looking at this year's public opinion surveys from both organisations. The annual "Lowy Institute Poll", and the Foundation's "Perceptions of Asia & Asian Peoples" poll are unique windows on how the public on both sides of the Tasman is seeing the greater region, and the current issues at play in foreign and domestic policy.  

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Zennon Wijlens is the co-owner and Head Chef at Paris Butter in Auckland. He was part of a delegation attending this years Ubud Festival in Bali, courtesy of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.  Founded in 2015, the Festival is cross-cultural culinary adventure, showcasing Indonesia's diverse cuisine and extraordinary local produce.  Zennon joined us to discuss the restaurant trade, his career in cooking, and what Indonesia brings to the table in NZ.  

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The Asia New Zealand Foundation's Head of Research & Engagement Julia MacDonald is joined by Dr Henry Wang and Dr Mabel Miao, from the Centre for China & Globalisation in Beijing, to discuss the economic relationship between China and New Zealand, and the growing importance of growing people-to-people links between the two countries.  

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In this episode of Asia Unfiltered, our host Kii Small chats to Oliver Ibbetson about his experiences living in Taiwan for ten percent of his life. Digressions include the real pay-off that comes with putting up your hand for opportunities, what it was like to do a Masters degree in Asia during peak Covid, and the phenomenal effectiveness of the Taiwanese health and education system.

Asia Unfiltered is an exploration of the stories and experiences of young Kiwis abroad in Asia. Each episode will feature conversations between members of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono’s Leadership Network, and one of our two fellow Leadership Network hosts: Kii Small and Arina Aizal. The Leadership Network is a global professional network equipping the next generation of New Zealand leaders with the know-how to strengthen the New Zealand-Asia relationship.

Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentre
Website asiamediacentre.org.nz
Email us at media@asianz.org.nz

Whakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

The development and expansion of renewable energy alternatives was the subject of a recent NZTE study tour to South Korea and Japan for Māori representitives.  

Many countries across Asia are searching to meet 2050 energy targets but don’t have the natural resources.  Iwi/Māori entities in Aotearoa have access to natural resources but need investment to transform those resources to be exportable. 

One of those on the trip was Pahia Turia of Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa, an iwi based in the Whanganui region, who recieved funding from Te Whitau Tuhono – the Asia New Zealand Foundation. 

He sat down for a chat with Ronnie Thompson about the trip, and about the possibilities in renewable energy  that Aotearoa has to offer. 

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The Asia Foundation is a US-based nonprofit international development organization committed to improving lives and expanding opportunities across Asia and the Pacific. The Foundation’s work focusses on governance, climate action, gender equality, education and leadership, inclusive growth, and international cooperation. 

TAF works in more than 20 countries with funding from a diverse array of bilateral and multilateral development agencies, foundations, corporations, and individuals.

Chief Executive Laurel E Miller was in New Zealand recently, and sat down for a discussion on US strategy in Asia, and the activities of the Foundation.

+This interview was recorded before the recent attempt to assassinate Donald Trump + 

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In this episode of Asia Unfiltered, our host Arina Aizal chats to Wei-Wei Ng about her experiences living in Shanghai and Hong Kong. Digressions include the unique experience of growing up as a Chinese-Kiwi who moved to China, the successes and challenges of finding a job in Asia, and why a law degree may not be right for everyone. 

Asia Unfiltered is an exploration of the stories and experiences of young Kiwis abroad in Asia. Each episode will feature conversations between members of the Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono’s Leadership Network, and one of our two fellow Leadership Network hosts: Kii Small and Arina Aizal. 

The Leadership Network is a global professional network equipping the next generation of New Zealand leaders with the know-how to strengthen the New Zealand-Asia relationship. 

Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentre
Website asiamediacentre.org.nz
Email us at media@asianz.org.nz

Whakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

The Asia New Zealand Foundation's 'Perceptions of Asia'  survey was released earlier this month - it is a unique insight into how New Zealanders are feeling about Asia and its peoples, and a useful guide to future policy-making. Today we speak to Professor Natasha Hamilton-Hart from Auckland University's Dept of Management and International Business. Professor Hamilton-Hart is also director of the NZ Asia Institute at Auckland University . Also joining the podcast is Distinguished Emeritus Professor Paul Spoonley, Honorary Research Associate at Massey University, and a sociologist who has been following the Perceptions of Asia survey for many years.     

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The Asia New Zealand Foundation's annual "'New Zealanders' Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples" survey is in its 27th year, detailing changing trends in the way New Zealanders regard Asian nations and the people who live there. The survey is out today, and for a quick run-through of some of the central themes in the report we're joined by Asia New Zealand Foundation Chief Executive Suz Jessep, and Dr Julia Macdonald, diector of the Foundation's Research and Engagement programme.  

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This week we talk to Dilhan C. Fernando, CEO of Dilmah Tea, the family-owned Sri Lankan company that forged its own path in the marketing of tea in New Zealand, and around the globe.    

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Whakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !