Young Leaders Forum to inspire Asia connections

Hamish Miller speaks Mandarin fluently and works as key account manager for a New Zealand company that imports almost $200 million of products from Asia a year, mostly from China.

The former Asia:NZ China Scholar and graduate of Victoria and Nanjing universities says his employer, Macvad Ltd, is New Zealand’s largest importer, for which he manages accounts that include the Warehouse Group.

Mr Miller says Chinese language and experience has enabled him to progress through the company more quickly than he ever expected, and to become well known within the industry. “One reason for this is because there are no other non-Asian New Zealand-born account managers or buyers that speak Asian languages in the retail industry.”

“Everyone says to me, ‘that was smart, learning Chinese’ but still there are so few people doing the same,” he said.

Hamish Miller is one of the 38 young people taking part in the inaugural Asia:NZ Young Leaders Forum. Apart from New Zealanders, participants also come from South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, China, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Philippines and Singapore.

Asia:NZ’s education director Pamela Barton says these talented, Asia-literate young people were chosen because of their leadership potential and she hopes the enduring networks will benefit not only young leaders but also the wider interests of New Zealand and the countries of Asia.

To be eligible, the participants had to be young New Zealanders who are former or current Asia:NZ scholarship holders or international students from Asia on New Zealand government scholarships.

The programme, which begins in Wellington on November 19 and concludes in Auckland on November 25, will include workshops on leadership, cross-cultural communication and public speaking.

There will also be site visits in Rotorua and Hamilton as well as briefings by government and business leaders. Included in the programme are team building activities and panel discussions.

For more information, visit www.youngleaders.org.nz. The Young Leaders Forum programme is attached. To interview the organisers and/or the participants, please contact:

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