KEY POINTS:
Take 37 lively young people with an interest in Asia, throw them together for a week of intensive workshops and watch as the seeds are planted for stronger ties between New Zealand and Asia.
At least, that's the long-term hope after the inaugural Asia NZ Foundation Young Leaders Forum, a $150,000 investment in a group from New Zealand, Indonesia, Japan, China, India, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Malaysia, South Korea and Singapore.
The initiative comes on the back of reports and political acknowledgement of the importance of Asia in shaping the future of New Zealand's economic and social landscape.
So, what does such an investment look like in practice?
There were workshops on leadership, cultural understanding, and we were told how to mingle confidently in a room of strangers. (Apparently it's okay to butt in simply by brushing people on the upper arm the right way.)
There were students, university lecturers, engineers, lawyers, a China-based visa officer, even the odd journalist.
"These are young and talented people who can see that New Zealand's future is connected to Asia and want to be part of that," says Asia NZ's education director Pamela Barton.
We did team-building exercises and were blessed with cultural performances and a hangi on a marae.
We visited a Waikato farm of 200 genetically-enhanced cows and wandered through Park Road Post, Peter Jackson's extraordinary post-production house in Miramar, discussing with business and film enthusiasts how their industries were casting their nets into Asia.
We grilled politicians, Fonterra executives and senior Foreign Affairs staff on the ethics of foreign policy: should New Zealand be falling over itself to secure free trade with China, a politically oppressive country with a poor human rights record?
After much fun and several meals, we must ask the question: so what? Is 18-year-old Rucha Sarma - commerce student, peace activist and student journalist with a smile fit for Bollywood - now a young leader?
Or Indonesian agricultural engineer Subardja Komalawati, who is studying rural development at Massey University and hopes to return home and put theory into practice?
"The benefits are not all tangible," Ms Barton says. "We will see business and government calling on this network, and that will affect individual careers, but they will be called on to be part of wider events."
The potential is limitless, though how benefits come to fruition remains to be seen.
As Chinese New Zealander Jason Sew Hoy said in his speech at the close of the forum, it's about the Chinese term "guanxi" - a full and long-term relationship that overcomes barriers and differences.
"One day, we will look back and see this forum as the tipping point which sparked a new wave of understanding, collaboration and guanxi between the people of New Zealand and the people of Asia."
Derek Cheng, a Chinese New Zealander based at the Herald's Wellington office, took part in the forum.
FOUR YOUNG LEADERS
TESSA IRVING 25, civil engineer, Auckland
Asia NZ scholarship to study at the National University of Singapore from 2000 to 2004.
Working on the "Dear New Zealand" project, a collection of letters from young New Zealanders who are passionate about issues in today's society (www.dearnewzealand.org).
SYED FAISAL HASAN 29, PhD student, Bangladesh
Studying computer science at Otago University since 2004 on a Commonwealth Scholarship.
Aims to use his expertise to improve computer literacy and internet access in Bangladesh.
PAULINA JAPARDY 34, master's student, Indonesia
Studying the integration of tourism and rural development at Massey University on an NZAID scholarship.
Aims to use tourism and development to help foster a mutually beneficial relationship between New Zealand and Indonesia.
HAMISH MILLER 28, sourcing and importing agent, Auckland
Asia NZ scholarship to study Chinese language at Nanjing University from 2002 to 2003.
Aims to forge strong business ties with China and be one of New Zealand's leading professionals in trade with China.
