The Asia Forum is an independent, non-government organisation with a focus on improving New Zealanders understanding of Asian political, economic and social issues, and their impact on New Zealand. Established in 1995, the Asia Forum celebrated its 30th Anniversary in 2025.
Our Objective
The Asia Forum brings together members of the diplomatic, business, official and academic communities with the objective of improving understanding of Asian political, economic and social issues, and their impact on New Zealand. The Forum seeks to encourage the exchange of views of those with similar interests in different fields.
Executive
The Asia Forum is coordinated on a voluntary basis by an Executive Committee comprising Dr Farib Sos (Executive Director), Karim Dickie (Deputy Director), Dr Anita Perkins, Dr Stephen Epstein, Dr Kara Scally-Irvine, and Dr Thu Phuong Truong, with the assistance of Andrew Beattie.
Website Design and Development
Many thanks to David and Anna Potts for their continuing work on the design, development and hosting of the Asia Forum website.
Regular Meetings
The Asia Forum has been holding regular meetings since its inception in 1996.
- From 1996 to mid-1999 previous speakers (and topics) have included: Farib Sos (Cambodia), Rudra Da Souza (Sri Lanka), Bryce Harland (China), Carl Worker (Hong Kong), Tim Beal and Trevor Harvey (North Korea), Tetsuya Endo (Japan and North Korea), Pansy Wong MP (Hong Kong), Dennis Win Thein (Myanmar), Stephen Dawe (Asian investment in New Zealand), Tim Groser (Indonesia), Geoff Ward (Singapore), Elias Hashim (Malaysia), Chris Elder (China), and Hood Salleh & Halim Sidek (Malaysia).
- Since mid-1999 more detailed records of our meetings have been held in archive and are accessible on this website.
Past Officeholders
The Asia Forum has valued the contribution of past officeholders. These have included:
Colin Bell (1938-2024)
Dr Tim Beal
Dr Ron Xavier
