All posts

On 21 December I bade farewell to 30 excited students, the very first Vietnamese recipients of the new New Zealand/ASEAN scholarship. In the new year these scholars fly to New Zealand to commence their studies at New Zealand universities. They will undertake post-graduate study in the various fields of business, linguistics, agribusiness, public management, education and law.
They

During the recent APEC Leaders meeting leaders announced the Broad Outlines of a Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).  They also endorsed an ambitious report from Trade Ministers which underscored the shared commitment to conclude a high quality Agreement, including comprehensive tariff elimination. These significant announcements have sparked renewed interest in the TPP negotiation both within

Democracy remains the Holy Grail for political systems around the planet. The winds of freedom blowing through the Middle East over the past year and in Myanmar highlight this.
Indonesia, which itself has gone through remarkable democratic transition over the past twelve years, has for four years now hosted the Bali Democracy Forum to allow countries to

I’m not sure that all good things must come to an end, as the proverb would have us believe, but sadly this one must.  After more than three years in a satisfying, demanding, enjoyable and fascinating diplomatic assignment, the time has come for me to leave the Philippines.
The last few weeks have seen me and Sue

‘The forum for constructive ideas’.  That’s the by-line for the prominent Philippine business group the Makati Business Club, which earlier this month marked its 30th anniversary.   At the ceremony to mark the occasion I heard President Aquino highlight the organisation’s role in addressing public policy issues that go beyond business, including its focus against

I was in Halifax, Nova Scotia a couple of weekends ago to attend the Third Halifax International Security Forum.
I had heard good things about the previous two, and that, along with fora like the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore and the Berlin Security Conference, Halifax was becoming one of those “must attend” events for those wanting

More than a month after the event, people I meet are still congratulating me on New Zealand winning the Rugby World Cup.  They realise what it means for the country — not just for the All Blacks to win this trophy, but for New Zealand to have staged such a successful tournament.  As I’ve said

Many readers will not have heard of ERIA, the Economic Research Institute of ASEAN and East Asia, but those with an interest in policy-making and research in East Asia should take the time to find out more. ERIA is on track to be the lynchpin of strategic research and analysis, focused on integration and partnerships in

This embassy means business.   While the word ‘diplomacy’ conjures up pictures of going to meetings, writing reports and, dare I say it, attending functions, we actually spend a lot of our time rolling up our sleeves and working closely with New Zealand companies.
One of the embassy’s key goals is to advance and protect New

Good news for consumers and businesses.  Trade negotiators around the world are scoring some big wins, as they work on agreements to make it easier for businesses to succeed internationally and give consumers better access to products and services.
The circle is now complete for the ASEAN Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, or AANZFTA, which New