NZ Alumni
2018
Hannah Pattullo
Micah Thompson
Api Taiapa
Marcella Maihi
2017
Anne-Sophie Pagé
Jes Sweetman
Tracy Han
Zachary George-Neich
2016
Courtney Davies
Tom Wylie
Te Puritanga Jefferies
Izzy Stangl
2015
Kendra Titheridge
Bradleigh Cherrington
Maisie Prior
Faix Salim
2014
David Purdue
Matiu Fletcher
Nathan Tse
Emily Swan
James Jung
2013
Cowan Finch
Hana Maihi
Jordan Grey
George Nelson
Emily Swan
2012
Tim McCready
Emily Swan
Sarah Fagan
2011
Arena Williams
Sudhvir Singh
Melody Cooper
Nick Barry
2010
Georgia Cameron
Bowen Pan
Thomas Ding
Matariki Williams
2009
Blair Paterson
Jennifer Donnelly
Kimberley Maxwell
Matthew Anderson
2008
Neeharika Chowdary
Andrew Harrison
Jordan Taylor
Sacha Murray
2007
Sonia Bertelsen
Jia Du
Scott Thompson
Shay Wright
2006
Quynh Nguyen (Bridget)
Dominique Hayward
Rachel Helms
Blair Paterson
2005
Ainsley Thompson
Darren Park
Andre Tringham
Jane Exeter
2004
Eamonn Deverall
David Stevens
Hester Goodwin
A past delegate's experience
Shay Wright, Head of Māori Development at the Icehouse
What did the APEC experience mean to you?
It’s been seven years since I attended the International APEC Summit in Australia. And it was probably one of the biggest learning adventures of my life. I was exposed to so many new conversations and experiences that it literally defined a ‘new normal’ for me.
In just one short week at APEC I understood the role of trade and foreign relations. I developed connections to aspiring and current leaders. And I began to comprehend the absolute enormity of the world’s challenges and issues.
I was exposed to a whole range of new words like ‘trade proliferation’, ‘multilateral agreements’ and ‘Doha round’. I found out what cologne was, and what tequila was. I was there when the Free Trade Agreement with China was signed. Until that point I’d never thought as deeply about how we solve the global issues and the issues that the Pacific Rim faces. My mind was awakened.
So what have you done since?
Ever since then trade, international affairs and global issues have shaped a lot of the things I have sunk my teeth into. Having gained a basic understanding at APEC, I have learned how these concepts apply on the ground working with business owners to grow their businesses internationally.
I have been a member of the Advisory Board of the NZ-US Council and in 2013 was fortunate enough to attend the bi-annual NZ-US Partnership Forum in Washington D.C. where another Pacific Trade Agreement was the centre of attention: the Trans Pacific Partnership.
I must say that having the exposure to APEC has made me wary of the huge amounts of resource that countries pour into trade and diplomacy and I’m still figuring out how beneficial it is. But it is only through the experience that we will truly comprehend it.
Would you recommend APEC Voices?
There are few events that have had as much impact on me as the APEC Summit. Important things are talked about. Some of them are advanced. Going in hungry will mean you get so much out of the experience. I can’t speak of it highly enough and thank the organisers for allowing me to participate.