Engagement vital in tricky times
Zealand that the Asia region was relevant to us economically. It was no longer simply a recipient of our aid.
But our increasing ties with the region weren’t wholeheartedly embraced.
1994 was just a year after the publication of ‘‘Asian Inv-Asian’’ articles in Auckland community newspapers. And there were lingering fears Japanese investment might threaten a ‘‘Kiwi’’ way of life.
It was against this backdrop that the Asia New Zealand Foundation was formed, driven by the efforts of National ministers Philip Burdon and McKinnon.
It was initially given the catchy, thenfuturistic title of ‘‘Asia 2000’’.
Last week we brought together our New Zealand Honorary Advisers. At the meeting, McKinnon spoke of the drivers behind the foundation’s establishment.
New Zealand had been dominated by Europe and North America for many decades, and it was clear that picture was beginning to change.
But it was also clear New Zealand didn’t know much about Asia at all.
‘‘We thought there was a need to go beyond government-to-government, and there had to be more people-to-people links.’’
And here we are, 25 years later. You might say Asia turned out to be bigger than we had all expected, and that its growth exceeded all predictions.
Since then, the foundation has supported thousands of New Zealanders to build people-to-people links with Asia, and hundreds of thousands to have ‘‘Asia experiences’’ while still in New Zealand.
In tricky times – which is what we seem to be experiencing with China right now – it’s even more important that we keep engaging with Asian countries.
We also need to recognise our relationships with these countries have many threads that go beyond trade and tourism statistics.
As just one example, over the past fortnight hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders have been enjoying Chinese New Year celebrations and lantern festivals across the country.
And it’s important that we recognise our relationship with Asia goes far beyond one country.
I’m always struck by the fact that online commentators on these columns will mention China, even if the column itself doesn’t mention it.
New Zealand has come a long way since 1994.
Our increased ties with Asia have enriched our lives in all sorts of ways.
At the mercantilist end, there’s the economic importance of exports, international education and tourism.
But at a more human level, we also enjoy the vibrancy that New Zealand’s increased Asian dimension brings.
I don’t think anyone would claim that we know enough about Asian countries yet. That’s why the people-to-people angle that McKinnon mentioned continues to matter so much.
Funnily enough, Shayne Carter, songwriter and vocalist for that awardwinning Straitjacket Fits album, is currently in Thailand on an artist residency supported by the foundation.
It was useful for us last week to also hear from one of our Asia Honorary Advisers, Thailand political commentator Thitinan Pongsudhirak, who noted that if the last 25 years had been dynamic and exciting vis-a` -vis Asia, the next 25 looked even more so.
The risk he warned New Zealand against was complacency in dealing with our Asia relationships which include, but are not solely, China.