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 risk and international trade to national security, our Global Affairs programme examines the forces reshaping the global order and what they mean for New Zealand’s strategic interests, economic resilience and long-term positioning.
At the centre of this work is the Aspen NZ Security Programme — a year-round programme connecting leaders from business, government and community organisations to explore the intersection of economic and national security, geopolitical change and international cooperation.
Aspen NZ Security Dialogues – High-level, private roundtables where senior leaders from business and government examine how global developments are reshaping key sectors, including emerging risks, strategic dependencies and leadership trade-offs.
Regional Security Dialogues – International discussions drawing on the Aspen global network, connecting New Zealand leaders with global counterparts on shared challenges in trade, technology and regional stability.
Aspen NZ Security Forum – An annual forum where cross-sector and international leaders examine New Zealand’s strategic interests and role in an evolving global order.
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.