Asia New Zealand Foundation

11/06/2026

Join us for the Auckland launch event of the Foundation's 2026 New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples report.

Now in its 29th year, the annual Perceptions of Asia survey tracks New Zealanders’ awareness, knowledge and interest in Asia, offering important insights into how views are shifting amid a changing regional and global environment.

The event will include an overview of the report’s key findings by the Foundation's director of research, Dr Julia Macdonald, followed by a panel discussion with the Foundation's senior fellow Peter Kell, The Spinoff’s Toby Manhire, and Invest NZ's Ella Zhang, moderated by the Foundation's director of business, Tim McCready.

📍Where: Level 6, MFAT Auckland, 139 Quay Street, Auckland

⏰When: Tuesday, 23 June, 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Register for this free event ⬇️
https://events.humanitix.com/auckland-perceptions-of-asia-2026-report-launch-aa5-event

Read the full report at the Foundation's website ⬇️
https://www.asianz.org.nz/new-zealanders-perceptions-of-asia-2026

Join us for the Auckland launch of the Asia New Zealand Foundation’s 2026 New Zealanders' Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples report.

11/06/2026

The Foundation launched its latest New Zealanders' Perceptions of Asia report in Wellington last night.

It was fantastic to see a strong turnout and hear the thoughtful questions from attendees throughout the evening. Thank you to the panellists for their valuable insights and for bringing the report's findings to life during the Q&A session.

Now in its 29th year, the report continues to provide valuable insights into New Zealanders' views of Asia and our place in the region.

Thank you to everyone who made the launch of the New Zealanders' Perceptions of Asia report in Wellington last night such a great success.

We will now continue the discussion at upcoming events in Auckland and Christchurch. Register to attend here ⬇️

Auckland
https://events.humanitix.com/auckland-perceptions-of-asia-2026-report-launch-aa5-event

Christchurch
https://events.humanitix.com/copy-of-perceptions-of-asia-2026-report-launch-christchurch

Read the full report ⬇️
www.asianz.org.nz/new-zealanders-perceptions-of-asia-2026

10/06/2026

This weekend, the Foundation’s Emerging Screen Creatives delegation will arrive in Mumbai, home of Bollywood. 🎥

For one week, five emerging New Zealand screen creatives will engage with some of India’s leading filmmakers, curators, and industry leaders by attending film festival screenings at the Mumbai International Film Festival - MIFF, networking opportunities, and visiting India’s leading film institutions. Kirsty Cameron of the Listener will also join the group to document the delegation's experiences and insights.

The delegation is part of the Foundation’s work in supporting the next generation of New Zealand screen creatives in building connections and opportunities across Asia.

09/06/2026

📒The 29th Perceptions of Asia report is out today!

The Foundation’s flagship survey reveals how New Zealanders view Asia and New Zealand’s place in the world. Here are some highlights from this year’s report.

🌏Asia continues to be seen as crucial to New Zealand’s future. Eighty-one percent of New Zealanders see developing political, economic, and social ties with the people and countries of Asia as important. 39 percent see it as very important.

🗺️60% of New Zealanders now feel connected to Asian cultures in their daily lives — the highest level recorded.

✈️New Zealanders made more than 770,000 return trips to Asia in the year to January 2026, with China, India, Indonesia, and Japan among the top destinations.

🗾New Zealanders are increasingly looking to Asia, with trust in Japan surpassing the UK for the first time, while Singapore is seen as Asia’s most like-minded country.

❗Awareness of South Asia is growing, with half of New Zealanders now viewing the region as important to New Zealand’s future.

Read the full report ⬇️

Now in its 29th year, the New Zealanders’ Perceptions of Asia and Asian Peoples survey is the Foundation’s flagship longitudinal survey.

05/06/2026

In her latest CE update, Suzannah Jessep looks back on a full month that saw the Foundation hold our Asia Symposium in Wellington, host a delegation of Southeast Asian tech entrepreneurs, and support a variety of exchanges and delegations throughout the Asia region.

Read the full update ⬇️
https://www.asianz.org.nz/suzannah-jesseps-may-2026-update

05/06/2026

The Foundation recently hosted the Asia Symposium in Wellington, in partnership with The Asia Foundation, bringing together policymakers, academics, and business leaders from across Asia and New Zealand. 🌏

The symposium examined Asia in transition and the role of middle powers in a changing regional and global environment.

For those who missed the event, an overview of the symposium and session recordings are now available on our website.

Thank you again to our partners at The Asia Foundation, and to all of our speakers, panellists and attendees for contributing to such a thoughtful and timely symposium. 👏

▶️ Watch the highlights and sessions now: www.asianz.org.nz/symposium-examines-asia-in-transition-and-the-role-of-middle-powers

04/06/2026

The 29th Perceptions of Asia report launches next week.

Last year, we found that:

📊 59% of New Zealanders felt they knew at least a fair amount about Asia.

🌏 Perceptions of Southeast Asian countries improved significantly, while views of the US and China declined.

🤝 Japan was seen as the most trusted country in Asia.

⚠️ Fake news and misinformation were viewed as the biggest threat to New Zealand's vital interests.

How have New Zealanders' views changed in 2026?

Join us at one of our free launch events in Wellington, Auckland, or Christchurch to hear the latest findings and what they reveal about New Zealand's relationship with Asia.

Wellington
📅 Wednesday, 10 June | 5:00–7:00pm
www.asianz.org.nz/perceptions-of-asia-2026-report-launch

Auckland
📅 Tuesday, 23 June | 5:00–7:00pm
www.asianz.org.nz/perceptions-of-asia-2026-report-launch-auckland

Christchurch
📅 Tuesday, 14 July | 5:00-7:00 pm
www.asianz.org.nz/perceptions-of-asia-2026-report-launch-christchurch

03/06/2026

🌿 Agri-tech and the India Opportunity

We're co-hosting an evening with the Auckland Business Chamber, AgriTech New Zealand, and the Consulate General of India to connect Auckland's agri-business community with ten of India's most exciting next-generation agribusiness entrepreneurs.

These delegates - visiting as part of the NZ India Entrepreneurship Initiative - are working across precision farming, AI-driven crop monitoring, supply chain transparency, agricultural mechanisation, and sustainable rural enterprise.

A panel session facilitated by AgriTech NZ CEO Brendan O'Connell will be followed by informal networking.

📅 Friday, 5 June | 4:15pm | Level3, 90 Symonds Street
Free to attend, register here: https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=M-pCO9hhqE6h7L9QFX7HFXKLjICI78ZJkCJtnrIapz9UNzJYVFc0OUtUOEtCTUoyRENDMzBMMVdEOS4u&route=shorturl

29/05/2026

Seven Leadership Network members have returned from South Korea after attending the Asian Leadership Conference in Seoul.

Hosted by the Center for Asia Leadership and The Chosun Ilbo, the conference brought together leaders from around the world to discuss the major issues shaping Asia and global affairs.

During their five days in South Korea, the group also visited the DMZ and experienced South Korean culture firsthand.

Thank you to our Honorary Adviser, Jo Min and Ambassador Dawn Bennet for hosting the delegation during the visit.

Read Leadership Network member Monique van Veen’s story for more: https://www.asianz.org.nz/seoul-for-the-soul-humanity-in-an-age-of-acceleration

Center for Asia Leadership | The Chosun Daily

28/05/2026

The Foundation was pleased to host Sri Lanka’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Employment and Tourism, Hon Vijitha Herath, for a roundtable discussion yesterday.

It was a valuable opportunity to hear Minister Herath’s perspectives on Sri Lanka’s role in a dynamic region, the country’s regional outlook, and the New Zealand–Sri Lanka bilateral relationship.

High Commission of Sri Lanka in New Zealand