Careers Without Borders 2026
Expert Panel
Thursday, 17 September 2026 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Wellington
RHLT2, Rutherford House, Pipitea Campus, Wellington
NZIIA Wellington Student Committee is pleased to announce the 12th edition of our annual professional development event for students, Careers Without Borders.
Careers Without Borders gathers panelists from a range of backgrounds and professions here in Aotearoa to provide current students with guidance and insight as to what career paths exist post-grad. Students are invited to attend three sessions of panel discussions, followed by time to network with speakers and peers over pizza.
This year, we are lucky to begin with a keynote address from David Evans, a Divisional Manager at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He will then join an experienced Foreign Affairs (MFAT) panel lineup where you have the chance to gain insight about a career in diplomacy and ask questions.
Following the Foreign Affairs panel, the three specialized panels from which students can choose to attend two include: Trade and Commerce, International Development, and Defense and Security.
This is the twelfth consecutive year we have run Careers Without Borders, and last year we had a sellout with over 150 attendees, so we encourage you to register early!
The event will run as follows:
- 5:00-5:10pm: Opening remarks
- 5:10-5:30pm: 2026 Keynote Address
- 5:30-6:00pm: Foreign Affairs (MFAT) panel
- 6:10-6:40pm: Breakout session I (students can attend one of 3 panels)
- 6:50-7:20pm: Breakout session II (students can attend a second panel)
- 7:20-8:00pm: Catered networking
The following are our confirmed speakers thus far for each panel:
- Foreign Affairs (MFAT): David Evans (Pacific Polynesia & French Pacific Division, formerly posted to London and Beijing), Wilson Chau (Senior Policy Officer, recently returned from Shanghai) and Karishma Patel (Lead Services Trade Negotiator)
- Trade and Commerce: Hayley Horan (Wellington Chamber of Commerce), and Tracey Epps (International Lawyer, Trade Policy Consultant)
- International Development: Todd Cleaver (Council for International Development), Heather Hayden (UNICEF, Amnesty International), and Kirsty Burnett (Future Partners Ltd)
- Defense and Security: to be announced
For any questions or queries, please contact our Student Representatives at: studentrep.nziia.wellington@gmail.com
Contact the Wellington branch
FOR ANY WELLINGTON BRANCH AND MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES OR WELLINGTON EVENT INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL
info@nziiawellington.org.nzNZIIA Wellington Student Committee is pleased to announce the 12th edition of our annual professional development event for students, Careers Without Borders.
Careers Without Borders gathers panelists from a range of backgrounds and professions here in Aotearoa to provide current students with guidance and insight as to what career paths exist post-grad. Students are invited to attend three sessions of panel discussions, followed by time to network with speakers and peers over pizza.
This year, we are lucky to begin with a keynote address from David Evans, a Divisional Manager at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He will then join an experienced Foreign Affairs (MFAT) panel lineup where you have the chance to gain insight about a career in diplomacy and ask questions.
Following the Foreign Affairs panel, the three specialized panels from which students can choose to attend two include: Trade and Commerce, International Development, and Defense and Security.
This is the twelfth consecutive year we have run Careers Without Borders, and last year we had a sellout with over 150 attendees, so we encourage you to register early!
The event will run as follows:
- 5:00-5:10pm: Opening remarks
- 5:10-5:30pm: 2026 Keynote Address
- 5:30-6:00pm: Foreign Affairs (MFAT) panel
- 6:10-6:40pm: Breakout session I (students can attend one of 3 panels)
- 6:50-7:20pm: Breakout session II (students can attend a second panel)
- 7:20-8:00pm: Catered networking
The following are our confirmed speakers thus far for each panel:
- Foreign Affairs (MFAT): David Evans (Pacific Polynesia & French Pacific Division, formerly posted to London and Beijing), Wilson Chau (Senior Policy Officer, recently returned from Shanghai) and Karishma Patel (Lead Services Trade Negotiator)
- Trade and Commerce: Hayley Horan (Wellington Chamber of Commerce), and Tracey Epps (International Lawyer, Trade Policy Consultant)
- International Development: Todd Cleaver (Council for International Development), Heather Hayden (UNICEF, Amnesty International), and Kirsty Burnett (Future Partners Ltd)
- Defense and Security: to be announced
For any questions or queries, please contact our Student Representatives at: studentrep.nziia.wellington@gmail.com
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.