ASPEN NZ SECURITY PROGRAMME
New Zealand’s place in a contested world
Connecting leaders across sectors and borders to examine the strategic questions shaping New Zealand's security, resilience and prosperity.
Building the understanding and capability New Zealand needs
The strategic environment facing New Zealand is changing rapidly. Geopolitical competition, technological disruption, economic resilience and shifting alliances are reshaping how nations protect their security, prosperity and influence.
The Aspen NZ Security Programme provides a trusted, non-partisan forum where leaders from business, government, defence, technology, investment and academia come together to discuss these changes, challenge assumptions and learn from diverse perspectives.
Rather than advocating particular policies or seeking consensus, Aspen conversations are designed to strengthen understanding of the strategic questions facing New Zealand, surface emerging risks and support more informed decision-making across sectors and borders, building the knowledge and capability that New Zealand's long-term security, resilience and democratic institutions will require.
"There has never been a time when national security has required such sustained attention”
-Rt. Hon. Sir Donald McKinnon, Former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of New Zealand
Sector insights. Regional perspectives. Leadership dialogue.
The Aspen NZ Security Programme brings together New Zealand and international leaders through three complementary activities.
New Zealand Security Dialogues
Connecting New Zealanders
Invitation-based roundtables where senior leaders examine emerging strategic issues, explore different perspectives and challenge assumptions through informed, non-partisan dialogue.
Regional Security Dialogues
Connecting New Zealand to the world
Drawing on the Aspen global network, these dialogues connect New Zealand leaders with international counterparts to explore shared strategic challenges and strengthen international understanding.
A national conversation with an international perspective
Our flagship annual forum bringing together leaders from business, government and international partners to explore the strategic questions shaping New Zealand's security, resilience and prosperity.
Aspen NZ Security Forum
The Aspen Approach
Aspen conversations are designed to explore difficult questions rather than reach predetermined conclusions. Participants are encouraged to challenge assumptions, consider different perspectives and engage respectfully across varied viewpoints.
The aim is to deepen understanding, find common ground across sectors and perspectives, and build trust that enables better decisions, stronger institutions and more effective responses to complex challenges.
Through this approach, participants gain:
Broader perspectives through open, cross-sector dialogue.
A deeper understanding of the strategic issues shaping New Zealand's future.
Trusted relationships with decision makers across business, government, academia and society.
Greater confidence to navigate complexity, lead through uncertainty and respond to emerging challenges.
Access to global expertise and perspectives through the Aspen international network.
Upcoming events
From New Zealand and Regional Security Dialogues to the annual Security Forum, there are a number of ways to engage with the programme throughout the year.
Part of a global network
The Aspen NZ Security Programme is part of a worldwide community of Aspen Institute organisations convening leaders on the strategic challenges of our time. From the Aspen Security Forum in Washington and Aspen, Colorado - one of the world's leading non-partisan forums on national security and foreign policy - to the Aspen European Strategic Forum bringing together leaders across Europe on questions of strategic autonomy and resilience, Aspen's global network provides a foundation of relationships, expertise and perspective that informs and supports our work here in New Zealand.
