Media Release
10 May 2004
Asia 2000 welcomes Ministerial Task Force on Asia
Sir Dryden Spring, Chair of Asia 2000, has welcomed the Government’s announcement that it has established a Ministerial
Task Force on Relations with Asia.
The government’s announcement follows a wave of recent activity in New Zealand relationships with Asia. It has included
steps to improve the regional trading environment, exchanges of high level visits, and initiatives to better engage New
Zealand’s Asian communities of students and migrants.
The idea of a task force first arose at the “Seriously Asia” conference organised by Asia 2000 in November last year.
The project aimed to identify priority goals and practical actions to energise New Zealand’s links with Asia.
“I am delighted that the government has decided to go ahead with the task force”, Sir Dryden said. “If New Zealand is
serious about economic growth it has to be serious about Asia, and the task force demonstrates a strong New Zealand
commitment.”
A key conclusion of “Seriously Asia” was that, as a small country, New Zealand needed to ensure more effective
coordination of government agencies and better cooperation with non-governmental institutions and groups.
“Asia’s dynamic market and societies can help unlock New Zealand’s wealth potential and bring greater prosperity to all
New Zealanders”, Sir Dryden said. “We must work hard to build the positive relationships which will make that a
reality”.
Ends
Note to Editors:
Background papers and summary outcomes of the “Seriously Asia” project and conference are available online
www.seriouslyasia.org.nz . A final report on the project, including a summary account of the November conference, will
be available shortly from the Communications Manager, Asia 2000 Foundation, PO Box 10 144, Wellington.