The former Asia:NZ China Scholar and graduate of Victoria University of Wellington and Nanjing universities of China said his employer, Macvad Ltd, is New Zealand's largest importer, for which he manages accounts that include the Warehouse Group.

    Miller said the Chinese language and experience have 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," he said.

    Miller is one of the 38 young people taking part in the Asia:NZYoung Leaders Forum.

    The program, which began in Wellington on Nov. 19 and concluded in Auckland on Nov. 25, included workshops on leadership, cross-cultural communication and public speaking.

    There were also site visits in Rotorua and Hamilton, New Zealand, as well as briefings by government and business leaders. Included in the program are team building activities and panel discussions.

    Apart from New Zealanders, participants also come from South Korea, Malaysia, Japan, China, Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Singapore.

    Three Chinese students, Shen Fujun, Yu Shiqiao and Luo Wei, have been selected to join an elite group of young leaders.

    Shen, 30, currently working towards his PhD in tourism and sustainable livelihoods in a China context at Lincoln University, is the recipient of a Lincoln University Doctoral Scholarship and a New Zealand Postgraduate Study Abroad Award to undertake field work in China. He is also President of the Lincoln University Chinese Association.

    Yu, 25, is currently studying for a Master of Science in Molecular Biology at Massey University, New Zealand. She said upongraduation she hopes to demonstrate to the business community how science can help shape new high-value markets.

    Luo is currently pursuing PhD study in Screen and Media Studiesat the University of Waikato and was the recipient of a New Zealand International Postgraduate Research Scholarship. She has served as a volunteer for the Waikato Students and Scholars Association and is a radio host for a local Chinese broadcast.

    Like the Chinese, most of the eleven Asian participants in the Forum are current and recent holders of New Zealand government or university scholarships.

    The Asia:NZ Young Leaders Forum is an initiative of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, a semi-official body to enhance NZ-Asia relations, to connect New Zealand to Asia through a network of outstanding young people. Selected through a competitive application process, the participants have all demonstrated leadership potential and a commitment to furthering relations between New Zealand and Asia.

    Asia:NZ's education director Pamela Barton said 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 Zealanderswho are former or current Asia:NZ scholarship holders or international students from Asia on New Zealand government scholarships.

    Asia:NZ Chairman Philip Burdon said the purpose of the Forum was to create a network of outstanding young ambassadors that could inspire fresh thinking on how to build a more vibrant, integrated and prosperous future between New Zealand and Asia.

    Burdon said those linkages are created by many interactions, from formal trade and enterprise relationships, to cultural exchange, to events such as the Young Leaders Forum where our future leaders meet to discuss issues and ideas, deepen their understanding of each others' cultures, and to make lasting friendships.

-China View