Careers Without Borders is NZIIA Wellington's flagship annual student event. Now in its 12th edition, the event gathers panellists 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 graduation. Students are invited to attend three sessions of panel discussions, followed by catered networking with speakers and peers.

🗓️ When: 5:00-8:00pm, Thursday 17 September
📍 Where: RHLT2, Rutherford House, Pipitea Campus
🌟 Registration and panel selection essential - first come, first served

The event will run as follows:

5:00-5:10pm: Welcome and Opening Remarks
5:10-5:30pm: Keynote Address (David Evans, MFAT)
5:30-6:00pm: Foreign Affairs panel (all attendees)
6:10-6:40pm: Breakout session I (students can choose one of the three panels)
6:50-7:20pm: Breakout session II (students can choose a second of the three panels)
7:20-8:00pm: Light Catering and Networking

Following the keynote and Foreign Affairs panel, the three specialised panels from which students can choose to attend two include: Trade and Commerce, International Development, and Defence and Security.

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 (Chief Executive, Wellington Chamber of Commerce), Dr Tracey Epps (International Lawyer, Trade Policy Consultant), and Fiona Acheson (Invest New Zealand)
International Development: Todd Cleaver (Council for International Development), Heather Hayden (UNICEF, Amnesty International), and Kirsty Burnett (Future Partners Ltd)
Defence and Security: Chris Nixon (Ministry of Defense), Tony Lynch (former DCE, National Security Group, DPMC), Dr Andi Zhou (Victoria University of Wellington), and National Assessments Bureau (DPMC)

Contact the host of Careers Without Borders 2026