Treasury Guest Lecture - Prof. Natasha Hamilton-Hart: IN-PERSON attendance

Economic security challenges in Southeast Asia: What can New Zealand learn? Join us for the next lecture in our seminar series The escalation of geopolitical risk globally and a sharp shift in American trade policies are challenging economic security strategies across the broad Indo-Pacific region. Businesses and governments are responding to the erosion of global trade rules, a rise in unilateralism, and structural shifts in the international economic landscape. Southeast Asia sits in the cross-currents of these geopolitical shifts and offers potential lessons for small, open economies such as New Zealand. Like New Zealand, the countries of Southeast Asia are being forced to reckon with conflicting economic and security demands and new tensions associated with deep economic interdependencies that span the US-China geostrategic divide. Governments in the region have consistently declared a wish to avoid being drawn into external conflicts and have sought to maintain independence. The space for preserving independence is, however, becoming much narrower and the incentive structure facing regional decision-makers is shaped by the defensive responses of both business actors and the actions of other governments. About this event This will be a hybrid event. Please use this site to register if you plan to attend it in person. If you would like to attend it virtually, please use THIS LINK to register. About the presenter Natasha Hamilton-Hart is Professor in the Department of Management and International Business at the University of Auckland Business School. Her research is in the field of business-government relations, with a focus on Southeast Asia and the wider East Asian region. She has published extensively on the international political economy and domestic business-government systems of Southeast Asia, including the region’s relationships with China and the United States. Her current work examines the economics-security nexus in East Asia and the functions of hierarchy, in Stupid Rules: Reducing Red Tape and Making Organizations more Effective and Accountable (Agenda Publishing). Natasha Hamilton-Hart gained her BA (Hons) from the University of Otago and her PhD from Cornell University. She was Director of the New Zealand Asia Institute 2016-2024. Prior to joining the University of Auckland in 2011, she held positions at the Australian National University and the National University of Singapore. About this seminar series New ideas, robust evidence, and insights from leading thinkers are crucial to strengthening the Treasury’s economic analysis and policy advice. Our new guest lecture theme — Navigating Global Shifts: Resilience, Challenges and Opportunities for New Zealand — invites us to reflect on how Aotearoa New Zealand can navigate an increasingly complex and interconnected global environment. This series explores the major global forces that shape our economic landscape, including evolving trade relationships, geopolitical developments, and the global movement of people, capital, and ideas. Through these discussions, we aim to deepen our understanding of how New Zealand can build economic resilience, respond effectively to uncertainty, and harness our regional and international partnerships to support economic performance, productivity, and our living standards. Our speakers explore strategies for mitigating the impacts of global disruptions — from pandemics and climate‑related events to geopolitical tensions and supply‑chain shocks – while also examining potential opportunities presented by rapid technological shifts, digital economy, and global innovations, to name a few. The series considers the role of government in supporting economic transitions, strengthening national resilience, and ensuring that New Zealand remains well‑positioned to meet emerging global opportunities. By bringing together diverse perspectives, this series seeks to inspire new ways of thinking about New Zealand’s economic future and to support informed, forward‑looking policymaking. Please note that the views, opinions, findings, and conclusions expressed in the Treasury Guest Lecture Series are those of the individual presenters. They do not necessarily reflect the views of the New Zealand Treasury or the New Zealand Government. For updates and our latest research visit: www.treasury.govt.nz Keep in touch If you would like to be the first to hear about our upcoming events in the Treasury Guest Lecture Series, please SUBSCRIBE to stay up to date.