A three-day conference for more than 40 invited senior secondary students and first year university students focusing on the work of APEC is being held at King’s College this week.

The NZ Voices of the Future – APEC 2009 is a unique opportunity to introduce students to New Zealand government and business leaders. Guest speakers include Tony Falkenstien, CEO Just Water International; Martin Walsh, MFAT; Tony Nowell CNZM, Founding Director Valadenz; Jenny Yule, CEO PORSE (Bloom Her Business Woman of the Year); Craig Norgate, Chairman PGG Wrightson; Mark Weenik, CEO Minter Ellison Rudd Watt; Mr Rodney Walshe, Chairperson, Auckland Tourism; Gary Judd QC, Chair ASB & Ports of Auckland; Stephen Jacobi, Jacobi Consulting Ltd; Professor Greg Whittred, Dean of Business School, Auckland University; Professor John Raine, Regional Chief Executive, Massey University; and Lex Henry, Chair VTM- NZ Trust.

There is also an opportunity for students to interview business leaders about the APEC themes for 2009 in relation to youth. They include: Hon Phil Goff MP; Tim Macindoe MP; John Langley, CEO Cognition Consulting Ltd; Zac de Silva, MD Barkers; Alasdair Thompson, CEO EMA (Northern); Jan Dawson, CEO KPMG; Trevor Auger, MD Ford NZ; Paul Johnston, CEO Renaissance Corp Ltd; and Trevor Thomas, MD Southern Crossings.

The expected outcome for those in attendance is to understand the purpose, issues and themes for APEC 2009; analysis of how these may affect New Zealand in the future; developing skills in interview techniques with information about leaders being documented.

On return to their own institution, students are expected to give a presentation on what they have learned throughout the conference.

An Awards Ceremony on Friday evening is being held at Government House, where three of the students will be presented with scholarships to attend the Voices of APEC event in Singapore 2009 and four secondary school students will be asked to return to the Conference in 2010.