As economic and national security converge, this Lookout explores leadership, trade realignment and decision-making, and how New Zealand can strengthen its position in a shifting global order.

As the global order shifts from shared norms to strategic competition, security and prosperity are no longer separate conversations. At the recent Aspen NZ closed-door Security Dialogue in Auckland, business and policy leaders examined what this new environment demands of New Zealand - and of those responsible for leading within it.

As 2025 winds down, we’d like to thank everyone who has taken part in Aspen NZ’s work this year - our participants, partners, supporters, directors, and the wider Aspen community. This Summer Review reflects on the people and programmes that shaped the past six months, and the conversations that carry into 2026.

As we head into 2026, three forces are setting the pace: geopolitical realignment, rapid technological change, and an information environment where trust is harder to secure. These pressures make one thing clear - outcomes improve when decision capability and dialogue keeps up.  Across New Zealand, from corporates to community organisations, the message is the same: we need stronger, more confident decision makers who can handle complexity. This edition looks squarely at that challenge.

Welcome to The Lookout. This month we explore how nations and communities are building resilience in a time of rapid change, from shared security challenges across the Tasman, to migration debates that shape public understanding and reflect the experiences of the people at their centre.

As global risks grow more complex, the Aspen-Otago National Security Forum 2025 brought together leading experts from New Zealand, Australia, Asia, and the US to explore how shifting geopolitics, emerging technologies, and social cohesion are reshaping regional resilience, and why collective awareness and action are key to national security.

Archie Ritchie, Aspen NZ scholarship recipient, shares how the recent Global Changemakers Workshop in Bogotá offered space to reimagine migration as a deeply human journey of courage, dignity, and connection, and how it deepened his understanding of leadership and cooperation on the global stage.

Welcome to The Lookout. This month we examine China’s growing influence in South-East Asia, reflect on the future of the global order, and pay homage to the leadership of one of our founding Trustees and Chair.

Welcome to The Lookout. This month, we explore the escalating threats in cyberspace, the potential of AI to tackle one of humanity’s most urgent challenges, and the enduring impact of visionary leadership.

Welcome to The Lookout. This month, we look at what it takes to keep our footing in a world of shifting power, overlooked essential workers, and the power of the 'commons' to guide us through rough waters.

Walter Isaacson, former President and CEO of the Aspen Institute, shares why our mission to find ‘common ground’ is as relevant today as it was when the Institute was founded post-WWII, in his remarks at the 75th Anniversary Gala.

“The difficulty of our time is a difficulty of the human spirit.” As global instability echoes the conditions that sparked the Institute’s founding, our CEO, Christine Maiden Sharp shares reflections from Aspen, Colorado, where she joined the International Partners to mark the Institute’s 75th anniversary. In a moment shaped by both turbulence and hope, she explores why the founding vision remains urgent today, what it means to lead with principle, and how a global network can help us respond to the challenges ahead.

Welcome to The Lookout. This month, we take a closer look at the forces reshaping leadership, strategy, and decision-making - from AI’s impact on the workplace to shifting security dynamics in our region.

This month, we examine New Zealand’s shifting defence posture, new survey findings on WTO reform, and the implications of China’s expanding global influence. On the local front, we explore housing challenges in Queenstown and Aspen - and share upcoming events, including a new flagship partnership with the University of Otago - the inaugural Aspen Otago Security Forum, a major gathering on regional security set to launch later this year.

This month, we examine the ripple effects of AI, India’s evolving strategic priorities, and how major global events are being reshaped by politics, technology, and the growing desire for narrative control. Plus, we highlight upcoming events to add to your calendar.

In this edition, In Focus examines three key takeaways from Empowering Economies, showcasing new opportunities for New Zealand businesses in India, and why a proactive, private-sector-led approach is essential.

Leadership in Action features international business consultant Nikolaus Lang, who shares his insights on global trends and five essential leadership strategies for navigating geopolitical shifts. In Depth unpacks McKinsey's latest research on AI and how organisations can unlock it's full potential to enhance creativity, efficiency, and productivity in the workplace.

New Zealand and India share a long-standing relationship, with significant opportunities to increase trade across sectors . The recent forum, Empowering Economies: A New Era of NZ-India Business Relations, bought experts from both nations together to explore how these opportunities can be leveraged for mutual growth. Hosted by the High Commission of India to New Zealand in Wellington, the discussion built on the NZ - India forums held by the Aspen Institute New Zealand, which focussed on how New Zealand can apply their skills and expertise to assist India, while also providing opportunities to strengthen and build long-term relationships between the two nations. 

At the recent Global Changemakers workshop: The Race to a Greener Future, Aspen NZ alumna, Shreya Singaraju spent three and half days with young leaders from the Aspen International Partners network to address the ethical, geopolitical, and economic complexities of environmental sustainability and the procurement of critical minerals and rare earth metals. Reflecting on her time in Warsaw, Shreya shared three takeaways that have reshaped her outlook on global and local challenges.