The Asia New Zealand Foundation has just launched Twitter and Facebook profiles. Regular updates on our work will appear on our Twitter profile: www.twitter.com/asianewzealand. Existing Facebook members of can access information on upcoming events, photo albums, videos and more by becoming fans of Asia:NZ. (You will need to first login to your Facebook account to access the page). 

Christchurch-based artist Andy Leleisi’uao has been selected for an inaugural arts residency opportunity in Taiwan. The residency is offered to New Zealand artists by the Asia:NZ in partnership with the Taipei Artists Village. Andy Leleisi’uao is an accomplished and critically acclaimed artist whose work blends his Samoan legacy with his New Zealand born heritage.

Julian Nixon reports that New Zealand's commodity producers are not the only exporters enjoying the fruits of China's boom - Kiwi companies selling value-added products are also enjoying success. And in another Action Asia Insight, Mike Booker profiles a number of high-tech New Zealand companies providing some solutions to China's environmental challenges.

A young Filipino-New Zealander has been awarded the first Asia:NZ Kiwi Asian Journalism Scholarship.The successful candidate, Corazon Miller, is of Filipino and New Zealand European descent. Ms Miller intends to use the communication and cultural awareness skills she has acquired during her short career as a health professional to embark on her new direction as a journalist.

In December 2009 Pia McKay travelled with an Asia:NZ-led delegation to Track II meetings in Delhi and Kuala Lumpur. She reflects on the workings of Track II diplomacy: "I remember asking at breakfast what form Track II meetings take, who speaks, and what do they say? I was told that Track II meetings take on their own distinctive style each time depending on the various participants."

In 2010,  Asia:NZ and AFS will provide three-week teaching scholarships to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, India or the Philippines. During their stay, teachers have the opportunity to experience school and home life in Asia. The applications for the 2010 awards will close on 23 March. Read more and apply.