New Zealand’s International Futures: Security, economy, diplomacy
Hon David Parker, Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs and expert panel
6pm, Wednesday 19 March 2025
Auckland
Building 201, Room 393, 10 Symonds Street, University of Auckland
Please note that the event location has changed.
Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion on the key challenges shaping New Zealand’s international future. Our expert panelists will examine the nation’s economy, security, and diplomacy, offering insights on how New Zealand can navigate global uncertainties, drive economic growth, and strengthen its international partnerships in an increasingly complex world.
This event is organised by the Public Policy Club at University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau in collaboration with the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs Whare Tawāhi-a-mahi i Aotearoa.
Biographies of panelists
Hon David Parker MP
David Parker is the Labour spokesperson for foreign affairs and shadow Attorney General. A Labour list MP, he is a politician and lawyer who has served in multiple Labour-led governments. He has held notable portfolios, such as Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, and Minister of Revenue. As a minister, he led major reforms such as New Zealand’s emissions trading scheme and resource management law. Before politics, he was a managing partner at Anderson Lloyd, co-founded the Dunedin Community Law Centre, and played a key role in biotech startups like A2 Milk and BLIS Technologies.
Professor Jennifer Curtin, University of Auckland
Jennifer Curtin is Professor of Politics and Public Policy in the School of Social Sciences and Director of the Public Policy Institute in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Auckland. Her research and publications focus on Australian and New Zealand politics and policy, gender, policy analysis and political leadership, and the politics of sport.
John Pearson, British Deputy High Commissioner to New Zealand
John Pearson is the British Deputy High Commissioner to New Zealand. He has over 30 years of experience as a diplomat including serving as the UK Ambassador to Laos from 2019 to 2023. Throughout his career, he has held notable positions, including Deputy Head of the China Division at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Deputy Head of Mission in Montevideo, Head of Trade and Investment in Mexico City, and Head of the South East Asia Climate Change Network in Singapore.
Dr Brent Burmester, Senior Lecturer Management and International Business, University of Auckland
Dr Burmester's research and teaching focusses on the sources and use of corporate power and the governance challenges presented by international corporations, better known as multinationals. Finding solutions to problems in this area requires the combination of ideas from law, economics, and politics.
Maria Rabino-Neira
An international humanitarian lawyer with several years of experience in academic research and policy analysis, particularly in the areas of civilian protection, terrorism, sanctions, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian exemptions.
Please note that the event location has changed.
Join us for a thought-provoking panel discussion on the key challenges shaping New Zealand’s international future. Our expert panelists will examine the nation’s economy, security, and diplomacy, offering insights on how New Zealand can navigate global uncertainties, drive economic growth, and strengthen its international partnerships in an increasingly complex world.
This event is organised by the Public Policy Club at University of Auckland Waipapa Taumata Rau in collaboration with the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs Whare Tawāhi-a-mahi i Aotearoa.
Biographies of panelists
Hon David Parker MP
David Parker is the Labour spokesperson for foreign affairs and shadow Attorney General. A Labour list MP, he is a politician and lawyer who has served in multiple Labour-led governments. He has held notable portfolios, such as Attorney-General, Minister for the Environment, and Minister of Revenue. As a minister, he led major reforms such as New Zealand’s emissions trading scheme and resource management law. Before politics, he was a managing partner at Anderson Lloyd, co-founded the Dunedin Community Law Centre, and played a key role in biotech startups like A2 Milk and BLIS Technologies.
Professor Jennifer Curtin, University of Auckland
Jennifer Curtin is Professor of Politics and Public Policy in the School of Social Sciences and Director of the Public Policy Institute in the Faculty of Arts at the University of Auckland. Her research and publications focus on Australian and New Zealand politics and policy, gender, policy analysis and political leadership, and the politics of sport.
John Pearson, British Deputy High Commissioner to New Zealand
John Pearson is the British Deputy High Commissioner to New Zealand. He has over 30 years of experience as a diplomat including serving as the UK Ambassador to Laos from 2019 to 2023. Throughout his career, he has held notable positions, including Deputy Head of the China Division at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Deputy Head of Mission in Montevideo, Head of Trade and Investment in Mexico City, and Head of the South East Asia Climate Change Network in Singapore.
Dr Brent Burmester, Senior Lecturer Management and International Business, University of Auckland
Dr Burmester's research and teaching focusses on the sources and use of corporate power and the governance challenges presented by international corporations, better known as multinationals. Finding solutions to problems in this area requires the combination of ideas from law, economics, and politics.
Maria Rabino-Neira
An international humanitarian lawyer with several years of experience in academic research and policy analysis, particularly in the areas of civilian protection, terrorism, sanctions, counter-terrorism, and humanitarian exemptions.
Membership
NZIIA membership is open to anyone interested in understanding the importance of global affairs to the political and economic well-being of New Zealand.