A new partnership between companies, peak business associations, employee organisations, and education institutions, is being launched in Wellington this evening 16 November by Education Minister Hon Anne Tolley. Initiated by Asia:NZ, the Business Education Partnership aims to encourage an increase in the amount of Asia-related material included in the curricula of New Zealand schools. Asia:NZ Chairman Hon Philip Burdon elaborates on preparing young New Zealanders for Asia.

The young leaders forum is one of the flagship events on the Asia:NZ calendar. Taking place this year between 14 and 21 November in Wellington, its purpose is to develop the skills and knowledge of participants who will play a vital role in building New Zealand’s future links with Asia. And congratulations to the fifteen young leaders who have been selected to attend the offshore forum in Hanoi . Participants for Viet Nam are raising money for the orphans of nearby Giang Sinh and invite online donations.

New Zealand signed a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Malaysia which promises to deepen ties with an export market worth over $1 billion. Led by Prime Minister John Key and Trade Minister Tim Groser, a large New Zealand delegation arrived in Kuala Lumpur in late October for a full programme of trade-related business events. We assess the the current economic and political landscape of New Zealand's eighth-largest market in our latest Regional Matters article.

Business leaders attending the Japan NZ Partnership Forum held in Tokyo on Friday 30 October agreed that the event has served to strengthen the relationship and make further progress towards the goal of a future free trade agreement between Japan and New Zealand. The event was also attended by young leader Paul Chong, who reported back on the discussions in the young leaders section of our website.

The Confucius Institute and the Chinese Language Foundation selected 14 New Zealand principals to travel to China in September 2009. Asia:NZ contributed towards the air fares of Auckland principals Jeff Johnstone of Willow Park School and Gary Cain of Parnell District School. They reflected on what they gained from the ten day tour, which included visits to educational institutions.

Deadlines are approaching for two opportunities offered by the Asia:NZ culture programme. One is hosted by the Platform China Contemporary Art Institute , one of the centres of Beijing's dynamic arts scene - Closing date for applications: Friday 20 November. And another exciting residency opportunity, applications for which close a week later on Friday 27 November, is up for grabs at the Taipei Artist Village.

Lisa Onland began her degree in journalism at Hong Kong University with the support of our media programme. She will be keeping Asia:NZ Online updated throughout her three year programme.Click here for the second of her blog entries: Mao and Then. Note too that the application deadline for the Kiwi Asian Journalism Scholarship is 30 November 2009. The scholarship is designed to encourage greater representation of Asian communities in mainstream New Zealand journalism.