New Zealand's economic resilience is built on decisions made across every major sector - in boardrooms, on farms, in data centres and energy networks. But the forces now bearing on those decisions extend well beyond traditional business risk. Geopolitical competition, technological disruption, and shifting trade dynamics are reshaping the environment in which those decisions get made.
The Aspen NZ National Security Dialogues bring senior leaders together in small, private settings to work through what that means in practice, sector by sector. Conversations are conducted under the Aspen moderation model - frank, structured and off the record.
A series of roundtables is planned between June and September 2026, with each focussed on a key sector of the economy. Topics include:
Agriculture, food production & biosecurity
Global food systems, climate pressures, biosecurity risks and trade tensions.
Tourism, aviation & global mobility
Geopolitical disruption, aviation connectivity and workforce dynamics.
Technology, data & digital infrastructure
AI, cyber security, digital trade and technology supply chains.
Energy & critical infrastructure
Energy transition, infrastructure investment and supply chain resilience.
High-value exports, advanced manufacturing & aerospace
Innovation ecosystems, global competition and emerging technologies.
Themes and topics may evolve as the programme develops.
Discussions will be framed around four questions common to all sectors:
What global developments are most likely to reshape this sector over the next decade?
Where do the greatest vulnerabilities or strategic dependencies exist?
What leadership trade-offs are emerging for organisations and policymakers?
How might different future scenarios play out, and what responses or solutions should be considered?
The roundtables aim to build a cross-sector view of New Zealand's economic security landscape, mapping where vulnerabilities exist, where strategic dependencies are forming and where coordination between business and government may become increasingly important.
Register your interest
These Roundtables will be delivered in partnership with sector sponsors, with timing between June and September 2026. Participation is by invitation.
If you work in one of these sectors - or are interested in partnering to support a dialogue - we welcome expressions of interest.