Careers Without Borders 2025
Expert Panel
Wednesday, 17 September 2025 5:30pm - 8:00pm
Wellington
RHLT1, Rutherford House, Pipitea Campus, Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington
The NZIIA Wellington Student Committee invites you to attend our flagship event, Careers Without Borders 2025!
Careers Without Borders gathers panellists from a range of backgrounds and professions here in Aotearoa to provide current students at the Victoria University of Wellington with guidance and insight as to what career paths exist post graduation. Students are invited to attend three sessions of panel discussions, followed by time to network with speakers and peers.
The event will run as follows:
-
5:30–5:40 pm: Opening Remarks
-
5:40–6:10 pm: MFAT Panel
-
6:20–6:50 pm: Breakout Session 1 (choice of 3 panels)
-
7:00–7:30 pm: Breakout Session 2 (choice of 3 panels)
-
7:30–8:00 pm: Light Catering & Networking
Following the MFAT panel, the three specialised panels from which students can choose to attend two include: Trade & Commerce, International Development, and Defence & Security.
The following are our confirmed speakers for each panel:
-
MFAT: James Lester (Senior Policy Officer, Middle East & Africa Division; former WTO posting, Trade Law Adviser), Thandiwe Keet (Niue Desk Officer; previously NZ-UKFTA & IPETCA roles), and Anya Donohue (Deputy Secretary’s Office, Pacific & Development Group).
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Trade & Commerce: Ailish Dodd and Brenna Burch (Wellington Chamber of Commerce, International Engagement Officers), Phil Quinn (MBIE, International Trade Negotiator), and Gregor Thompson (Business Desk, Economic Affairs Writer).
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International Development: Peter Scott (Former Disaster Management Delegate to Tonga; current Pacific Programmes Lead), Rachel Harrison (Senior Pacific Program Operations Advisor), Grace Savage (International Programmes Manager, Save the Children New Zealand), and Maree Newson (Senior Social Development Specialist, World Bank Washington).
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Defence & Security: Ministry of Defence representative and Kevin Moar (Director of National Security Policy, DPMC), Peter Shackleton (Unit Manager, Emerging Security Issues, MFAT), Amy Brosnan (Director NZDF Women, Peace and Security), and Dr Miriam Wharton (Senior Analyst, Strategy Management Office, Ministry of Defence).
Contact the Wellington branch
FOR ANY WELLINGTON BRANCH AND MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES OR WELLINGTON EVENT INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL
nziia.wgtn.membership@gmail.comThe NZIIA Wellington Student Committee invites you to attend our flagship event, Careers Without Borders 2025!
Careers Without Borders gathers panellists from a range of backgrounds and professions here in Aotearoa to provide current students at the Victoria University of Wellington with guidance and insight as to what career paths exist post graduation. Students are invited to attend three sessions of panel discussions, followed by time to network with speakers and peers.
The event will run as follows:
-
5:30–5:40 pm: Opening Remarks
-
5:40–6:10 pm: MFAT Panel
-
6:20–6:50 pm: Breakout Session 1 (choice of 3 panels)
-
7:00–7:30 pm: Breakout Session 2 (choice of 3 panels)
-
7:30–8:00 pm: Light Catering & Networking
Following the MFAT panel, the three specialised panels from which students can choose to attend two include: Trade & Commerce, International Development, and Defence & Security.
The following are our confirmed speakers for each panel:
-
MFAT: James Lester (Senior Policy Officer, Middle East & Africa Division; former WTO posting, Trade Law Adviser), Thandiwe Keet (Niue Desk Officer; previously NZ-UKFTA & IPETCA roles), and Anya Donohue (Deputy Secretary’s Office, Pacific & Development Group).
-
Trade & Commerce: Ailish Dodd and Brenna Burch (Wellington Chamber of Commerce, International Engagement Officers), Phil Quinn (MBIE, International Trade Negotiator), and Gregor Thompson (Business Desk, Economic Affairs Writer).
-
International Development: Peter Scott (Former Disaster Management Delegate to Tonga; current Pacific Programmes Lead), Rachel Harrison (Senior Pacific Program Operations Advisor), Grace Savage (International Programmes Manager, Save the Children New Zealand), and Maree Newson (Senior Social Development Specialist, World Bank Washington).
-
Defence & Security: Ministry of Defence representative and Kevin Moar (Director of National Security Policy, DPMC), Peter Shackleton (Unit Manager, Emerging Security Issues, MFAT), Amy Brosnan (Director NZDF Women, Peace and Security), and Dr Miriam Wharton (Senior Analyst, Strategy Management Office, Ministry of Defence).
Membership
NZIIA membership is open to anyone interested in understanding the importance of global affairs to the political and economic well-being of New Zealand.