22 June 2023

A focus on government, academic, and people-to-people connections

This event explores the links that have grown between Aotearoa New Zealand and Mexico since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973. This event is hosted by Hon Adrian Rurawhe, Speaker of the House of Representatives, and supported by the Latin America New Zealand Business Council.

Current programme

Welcomes

• Rt Hon Adrian Rurawhe, Speaker of the House of Representatives
• Dr Matthew O’Meagher, Director, Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence
• Her Excellency, Sara Meymand, New Zealand Ambassador to Mexico (pre-recorded video address)
• His Excellency, Alfredo Pérez Bravo, Mexican Ambassador to New Zealand

Reflections on the Speaker’s Delegation to Mexico and recent bilateral talks

• Rt Hon Adrian Rurawhe, Speaker of the House
• Ricardo Menéndez-March, Green Party List MP
• Fernando González Saiffe, Director-General Asia-Pacific, Mexican Ministry of Foreign Relations (via Zoom)

Panel 1: Multilateral ‘likemindedness’

Sarah Lee (chair), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

• Hon Tim Groser, former Trade Minister
• Anthony Simpson, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
• Miguel Hijar-Chiapa, ANZSANA President (via Zoom)
• Dr Roberto Dondisch, Mexican Council on Foreign Relations (via Zoom)

Panel 2: University connections

Bronwen Kelly (chair), Universities New Zealand

• Lee Davidson, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
• Richard Reddaway, Massey University
• Angela Davis, University of Otago
• Elizabeth Macpherson, University of Canterbury
• Artemio Mendoza, Lincoln University (via Zoom)
• Michael Gschwendtner, Auckland University of Technology
• Lupesina Koro, Prime Minister’s Scholarship to Latin America recipient
• Zac Thomas, Venture Partner, Rali Cap Ventures

Panel 3: Community experiences

Craig Nicholson (chair) Latin America CAPE

• Judith Baez, Radio Que Onda
• Natalia Albert, TOP candidate for Wellington Central
• Edgar Rodríguez Ramírez, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
• Victoria Escaip, University of Canterbury
• Adriana Destenave-Fernandez. Latin America CAPE (via Zoom)
• Robbie Francis Watene, Lucy Foundation (via Zoom)
• Priscila Pilatowsky, NZIIA Palmerston North (via Zoom)
• Israel Reyes, Cyber-security specialist

Performances

• Carlos Navae, Singer, guitarist, percussionist

Drinks and networking

Please note: Attendance at this event is by invitation only and is now full.