Asia Insight

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. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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.Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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 @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai 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 @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai 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. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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.   Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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 @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai 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. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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 @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai 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.  Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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 @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai 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.  Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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.  Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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.  Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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 @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai 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.  Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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 + Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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 @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai 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.     Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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.  Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

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.    Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

In this episode of Asia Unfiltered, our host, Kii Small, chats to the Asia New Zealand Foundation's very own Alex Smith, about her experiences living in Shanghai and Taiwan. Digressions include what it's like to study Mandarin Chinese as a young woman living in East Asia, and how a guilty pleasure for East Asian trash television can catapult you on a profound, life and career changing journey.----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 Asia New Zealand Foundation is New Zealand's leading authority on Asia, providing experiences and resources to help New Zealanders thrive in Asia. 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 @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Aung Myo Min is Minister/Representative for Human Rights in Myanmar's National Unity Government, and continuing to fight for an end to the current military junta which has ruled the country since Feb 2021. Recent reports indicate the junta has lost control of areas it once held, and men eligible for conscription have been barred from leaving the country amid a reported collapse in army morale. In New Zealand for a brief visit, he discusses the current military and human rights situation, and the future of hiscountry.    Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Dr Michael Green is the 2024 Kippenberger Chair at the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University in Wellington.  He's held a string of high-profile US foreign policy positions over many years, including in the George W Bush White House and at the Centre for Strategic Studies, and he's also currently head of the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. Mike joins us on the podcast today to talk about US strategy in the Western Pacific, China's rise, and the debate over New Zealand's possible admission to "Pillar II" of the  AUKUS group.Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

This week we join University of Canterbury Professor Alex Tan to discuss a recent "Track II" delegation to Taiwan, to hold the 9th annual dialogue with the Asia New Zealand Foundation's dialogue partner, the Prospect Foundation, as well as catch up with leading think tanks, academics and journalists. Alex brings the delegates together one last time to look back on their key takeaways from the trip.   Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Today we're joined by Dr Reuben Abraham. Reuben's the CEO of Artha Global, a policy and research organization based in Mumbai and London. He's a noted expert on India's economic development, and is currently a Senior Fellow at New York University's Marron Institute, an Asia Fellow at the Milken Institute in Singapore, and an Honorary Advisor to the Asia New Zealand Foundation.  He was also awarded “Think-Tanker of Year” by Prospect magazine in London in 2021 for his work on the covid crisis in India Reuben sat down for a chat India's economic future, its digital transformation, the Modi Presidency, and its developing relationship with New Zealand. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

The AIIB is a multilateral development bank based in Beijing. It now has 109 members, including New Zealand. Its mission: to finance " infrastructure with sustainability at its core." Bank President Jin Liqun has been on a quick visit to NZ, and discusses the bank's goals and aspirations, as it continues to develop links to the Pacific. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

This week's guest is Thomas Parks, the Asia Foundation's country representative in Thailand, where he manages programme addressing inequality, education, digital tech, and international relations. He also oversees the Foundation's regional cooperation programs in Southeast Asia, with a strong focus on ASEAN. He's been based in Thailand since 2008, and has spent time  in the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia, and Cambodia.His latest book is entitled “Southeast Asia's Multi Polar Future – Preventing a new Cold War.” We spoke to Tom about the book on a recent visit to Wellington, and began by asking him to put the region's current developing multi-polar picture into an historical context.. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

In late 2022 Japan released its new security and defence policy. It swept away much of the self-restraint that had characterised Tokyo's attitude to security since 1945, and saw the Kishida Administration bringing defence and security issues to the fore. Today on the podcast we speak with Japanese foreign policy experts Professor Akiko Fukushima and Professor Ken Jimbo, on Japan's new national security strategy, the progress made on the "Free & Open Indo-Pacific" initiative (the FOIP) , and Japan's role in shaping the regional order.  Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Cris D. Tran is a  Vietnam-based digital strategist working with the Frontier Leader Institute,  and a whole lot more besides. He's at the cutting edge of tech development across Asia, be it blockchain, AI , Web 2.0, or the vast array of tech advancements now  impacting on business and consumers. Cris is  in New Zealand to attend the Canterbury Tech Summit in Christchurch, and speaking on the topic of  “Asymmetric Competition in Digital Age.” The Asia New Zealand Foundation's senior adviser (Business) Ethan Jones sat down with Cris for a chat about just where Asia is headed in the tech space, and how New Zealand might be best placed to take advantage of the opportunities on offer. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Ramesh Thakur is Emeritus Professor in the Crawford School of Public Policy at the ANU in Canberra. In NZ recently, he discusses Indian geo-politics in 2023, the Nuclear Suppliers Group, and Delhi's mercurial External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Singapore-based Andrew Tan has spent 28 years in the public sector where he's held key positions across various Singapore government agencies, from the Ministry of Information and the Arts, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and in the Prime Minister's Office as the Private Secretary to Lee Kuan Yew. He is also a former CEO at Singapore's National Environment Agency, and Chief Executive of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. He's spent time as Director of Singapore's Centre for Liveable Cities, and has most recently been working as a managing director at global investment company Temasek.He also finds time to be involved with the Singapore Management University, and the Singapore Business Federation.Andrew was in New Zealand recently to address the China Business Summit held in Auckland, and following his address he spoke to Suz Jessep and James To from the Asia New Zealand Foundation about Singapore's development model, and the challenges ahead across the region.  Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Myanmar's civil strife continues with opposition forces refusing to buckle amid a struggle that shows no immediate sign of ending. Meanwhile the junta insists nationwide elections can and will be held eventually. Dr Tun Aung Shwe is the NUG's representative in Canberra, and joins us to discuss the way forward in bringing democracy back to Myanmar. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Journalist Sam Sachdeva discusses his new book "The China Tightrope", a detailed look at the China-New Zealand relationship:  the good, the difficult, and the way ahead. How did we get here? And how can NZ best negotiate the minefield of trade pragmatism and principled foreign policy?   Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

After a Asia New Zealand Foundation trip to Indonesia in 2017, Northland teacher Brent Strathdee-Pehi had his eyes and ears opened to possibilities in and outside the classroom. He's now teaching at an International School in Timor Leste, and discovering more about the ties between Aotearoa and Asia, in language, music , and much more.   Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Professor Nick Bisley is an international relations professor and the Dean of Humanities at Melbourne's La Trobe University. He's researched and written extensively on political economy and globalisation in Asia. Nick was in NZ recently for a series of lectures looking at the post-Covid economic reformation underway in Asia, he joins us to discuss what he describes as the “scrambled -re-globalisation" and how it will shape the future in Asia and elsewhere. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Brunei's 2nd Foreign Minister Dato Erywan Yusof was in New Zealand recently, and sat down for a brief chat on the current relationship between the two countries, the new upgrade to the ASEAN-Australia-NZ FTA, and the on-going challenge ASEAN is facing in de-fusing the Myanmar conflict. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Professor James Laurenceson is Director of the Australia-China Relations Institute at University of Technology in Sydney. Professor Laurenceson spoke to Graeme Acton about China's economy, its current economic woes, and why China's economic sanctions on Australia barely left a mark.   Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Asia New Zealand Foundation arts director Craig Cooper chats with Lucy Marinkovich, New Zealand based contemporary dancer, choreographer and the artistic director of the Borderline Arts Ensemble. Lucy shares her experiences in Asia, her plans for the future, and her new dance work 'Nothing Is" , one of the Asia New Zealand Foundation's 2021 "IN TOUCH" digital arts commissions. Tile image: HEMISPHERES - Mass Solitube by Sarah Foster-Sproull - Performed by Joshua Faleatua (Footnote) and Christy Poinsettia (Guangdong Modern Dance Company) - Photo by Eden MulhollandTweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

India's External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has been in New Zealand for discussions with government officials and public events in Auckland and Wellington. It's the first visit by an Indian EAM for twenty years and he was keen to discuss India's future, its upcoming presidency at the G20, and how New Zealand and India can improve their relationship.   Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Documentary photographer John Williams has been exploring issues of faith and worship for a number of years. This has included several trips to India to photograph in- depth projects that explore aspects of pilgrimage and religious worship. Craig Cooper speaks to John  about his photography, his travels across India, and his latest project – a digital reworking of his profound and moving “Pilgrimage" exhibition from 2016. Tile image: HEMISPHERES - Mass Solitube by Sarah Foster-Sproull - Performed by Joshua Faleatua (Footnote) and Christy Poinsettia (Guangdong Modern Dance Company) - Photo by Eden MulhollandTweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Craig Cooper speaks to Allan Xia, a Chinese/ New Zealand multi-disciplinary storyteller whose works span a broad spectrum of mediums such as illustration, comics, photography, videography, videogames and virtual reality. He's the founder of Kognika Ltd - a boutique creative agency, and also founder and director of Chromacon New Zealand Indie Arts Festival - a biennial event that connects creatives and art-lovers. Allan is passionate about advocating for New Zealand's creative sector, the value of original creative IP, and bridging collaborations between China and New Zealand.Tile image: HEMISPHERES - Mass Solitube by Sarah Foster-Sproull - Performed by Joshua Faleatua (Footnote) and Christy Poinsettia (Guangdong Modern Dance Company) - Photo by Eden MulhollandTweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

Chye-Ling Huang is a Chinese-Pākehā writer, director, actress, and co-founder and director of the Proudly Asian Theatre Company in Auckland. She's worked in television, on stage, in advertising and on podcasts and web series. She's had a long association with the Asia New Zealand Foundation, and was one of ten artists selected in 2020 to work on a digital art project looking at their personal on-going connection to Asia, even during the Covid lockdown. Asia New Zealand Foundation Arts Director Craig Cooper caught up with her to discuss, the arts, Aotearoa , and Asia.    Tile image: HEMISPHERES - Mass Solitube by Sarah Foster-Sproull - Performed by Joshua Faleatua (Footnote) and Christy Poinsettia (Guangdong Modern Dance Company) - Photo by Eden MulhollandTweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

The new Australian government has signaled a few changes in policy towards its immediate neighbours in Asia and the Pacific. This week we're joined by International Relations experts Professor Alex Tan and Associate Professor Nicholas Khoo, to look at the new foreign policy dynamic in Canberra, and how New Zealand would benefit from renewing its outreach in a similar fashion. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

The Asia New Zealand Foundation's annual "Perceptions of Asia" survey asks New Zealanders for their views on Asia and its peoples, and supports an informed public conversation regarding New Zealand's engagement with the region. Now in its 25th year, the survey is a unique insight on the growing connections between New Zealand and Asia. In this Asia Insight we speak to Suz Jessep, Director of Research and Engagement, about the survey, and about the "Seriously Asia Revisited" project currently underway.   Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

It is the international defence summit meeting that takes its name from the Singapore hotel venue. The Shangri-La Dialogue is a gathering of politicians, analysts, diplomats and business leaders from around the world who come together to debate issues, with politicians also heavily involved in bilateral meetings.  Graeme Acton chatted with attendees Professor David Capie from Victoria University in Wellington, and Newsroom correspondent Sam Sachdeva, to hear their impressions of the summit held earlier this month.     Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

In this episode, the Asia New Zealand Foundation's Alexis Allen speaks with Indonesian entrepreneur Adi Reza of Mycotech, and New Zealand entrepreneur Veronica Harwood-Stevenson of Humble Bee Bio, who are both creating innovative solutions in sustainability. Leather from mushrooms, and bioplastics from bees, it's all part of a sustainable future being built right now.Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !

The Asia New Zealand Foundation's Graeme Acton speaks to Professor Bates Gill  - China expert and author currently with Macquarie University in Sydney - about China's involvement in the Pacific.  What's behind the latest moves? What should New Zealand do? And how will the Pacific change under the proposed closer economic and political relationship with China?  Professor Gill's new book "Daring to Struggle: China's Global Ambitions Under Xi Jinping" is out now. Tweet us at @AsiaMediaCentreWebsite asiamediacentre.org.nz Email us at media@asianz.org.nzWhakawhetai mo te whakarongo .. thanks for listening !