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:
ENDS