Panel Discussion
Limited spaces available
2
CPD
John McKinnon and the Rt Hon Sir Don McKinnon share insights on geopolitical change and what it means for New Zealand boards.
Join experienced chairs Sir Don McKinnon ONZ GCVO and John McKinnon CNZM, moderated by Rosemary Banks, as they explore what the changing geopolitical climate means for New Zealand boards.
Trade, regulation and security now weigh as heavily on strategy as demand itself. Boards are navigating an environment where geopolitical alliances directly affect cost structures, market access and risk exposure.
Sir Don will share insights from his time as New Zealand’s longest-serving Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Deputy Prime Minister, and Commonwealth Secretary-General.
John McKinnon, chair of the New Zealand China Council, brings extensive diplomatic experience, including postings to China and leadership roles as former Secretary of Defence and executive director of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
Moderator Rosemary Banks, Director of the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Pacific Diplomatic Training Programme, has held senior diplomatic roles including Ambassador to the United States and Permanent Representative to the United Nations.
ONZ, GCVO
Sir Don McKinnon was first elected to parliament in 1978. He was sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister in 1990 and became the longest-serving Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand's history.
During his term in this role, he developed the Asia 2000 programme, which evolved into the Asia 2000 Foundation before becoming the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
He was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize for his work brokering a ceasefire between Bougainvilleans and the Papua New Guinea Government, which lead to the signing of a peace agreement in 1997.
Following his 21-year career in New Zealand politics, McKinnon served as Commonwealth Secretary-General for eight years from 2000 to 2008.
Sir Don is a former chair or Regional Facilities Auckland, former Chairman of the New Zealand China Council and Brain Research NZ and served as a trustee of the Waitangi National Trust.
In 2022 the Foundation recognised the important role Sir Don McKinnon played in the establishment of the Asia New Zealand Foundation by recognising him, alongside Philip Burdon, as a Foundation Founder.
CNZM
John McKinnon is the current chair of the New Zealand China Council. He has been posted to China three times for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, including twice as Ambassador. He is also a former Secretary of Defence, and former executive director of the Asia New Zealand Foundation.
John is also a Senior Fellow of the Centre for Strategic Studies at Victoria University in Wellington.
Rosemary Banks is currently Director of the Manaaki New Zealand Scholarships Pacific Diplomatic Training Programme. She is a former Ambassador to the United States (from 2018-2022 and 2024-2025).
Her forty plus year career in Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade included eight overseas assignments. She was Ambassador to France and Portugal and Permanent Representative to the OECD (2010-2014) and Permanent Representative at the United Nations in New York (2005-2009). Earlier Rosemary served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Canberra and in Honiara.
Prior to her 2018 appointment as Ambassador to the United States, Rosemary was a Crown negotiator for the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process
She has a Master of Arts degree in Russian with First Class Honours from Canterbury University and a Master of Science from the London School of Economics. The University of Canterbury awarded her an Honorary Doctorate.
Should you have any dietary, mobility, cultural or other requirements, you can let us know on the registration form.
By registering for this event you are confirming that you agree to adhere to our event terms and conditions.
Regrettably, registration fees cannot be refunded when cancellations are received within two working days prior to any branch event. See our standard terms and conditions for more information.
Jill Dawson
Wellington Branch Manager
+64 27 278 8814
+64 4 470 2673
jill.dawson@iod.org.nz
The Wellington branch acknowledges the generous support of
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The East Coast region also thank
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The Manawatu region also thank
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Members — $55.00
Non-members — $100.00
