Get involved in the issues that matter to the future of New Zealand
A platform for our future
The Aspen Institute New Zealand brings together leaders from across sectors to examine the ideas, decisions and values shaping New Zealand's future and place in the world.
We believe the quality of our leadership depends on the quality of our thinking and dialogue. Better conversations, across sectors and generations, are how New Zealand can build the judgment and perspective it will need to navigate an increasingly complex world.
Our work is centred around three focus areas: Global Affairs, Critical Conversations, and Connected Communities. Each of these pillars is designed to strengthen the leadership ecosystem that New Zealand will increasingly rely upon — and benefit from — in the decades ahead.
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GLOBAL AFFAIRS Security, trade and New Zealand’s place in the world
From geopolitical change and international trade to economic resilience and national security, our Global Affairs Programme explores the forces reshaping the world and what they mean for New Zealand.
At the heart of the programme is the Aspen NZ Security Programme — a year round series of dialogues and forums bringing together leaders from business, government, defence, technology, investment and research to explore New Zealand's place in an increasingly contested world.
What does an increasingly contested world mean for New Zealand?
Through informed, non-partisan dialogue, the programme brings together diverse perspectives to deepen understanding and explore choices ahead.
New Zealand Security Dialogues Invitation based roundtables where senior leaders examine emerging strategic issues, explore different perspectives and challenge assumptions.
Regional Security Dialogues Drawing on the Aspen global network, these dialogues bring New Zealand leaders together with international counterparts to explore shared strategic challenges and strengthen understanding across regions.
Aspen NZ Security Forum 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.
CRITICAL CONVERSATIONS Leadership, judgement and decision making for complex times
We create the conditions for rigorous, values-based dialogue on the questions that matter most, equipping leaders with the clarity and capability to make better decisions — especially under pressure.
Socrates Seminars Moderated, text-based discussions where leaders step back from day-to-day pressures to examine complex global questions, challenge assumptions, and sharpen their thinking.
Decision Making Courses Practical one- and two-day programmes for individuals and organisations, combining moderated dialogue with a systematic decision framework to strengthen judgment and improve decision outcomes.
CONNECTED COMMUNITIES Civic connection and intergenerational leadership
Strong leadership depends on connection across generations, regions and sectors. We build understanding and relationships that strengthen our social fabric, upon which long-term resilience depends.
Sister Cities Challenges Series Collaborative forums connecting Queenstown and Aspen, Colorado, on shared challenges such as housing, sustainable growth and climate change.
Global Changemakers Workshop–An annual international programme, run by Aspen International Partners, bringing together young leaders from around the world to examine a defining global challenge and develop nonpartisan policy recommendations.
Past events
The Aspen Leadership Seminar experience
One method. Multiple formats. Infinite results.
Aspen Leadership Seminars start from a simple premise: the difficult decisions leaders make are moral, not technical. Leaders must understand the values that animate their decisions. Once you sharpen your own values, leading others then requires you to understand and forge alignment among diverse values systems. Our seminars meet participants where they are in their leadership journey and then guides them to the next level.