To build on the network of Chevening alumni in New Zealand,

We held a gathering of Foreign & Commonwealth Office Chevening scholars and fellows at the High Commissioner’s residence in Wellington (‘Homewood’) on 26 August. We were able to give our 2009 scholar, Grace Lee, a good send-off ahead of her studies in the UK. As well as Chevening alumni, we were pleased that some Commonwealth scholars could join us, along with representatives from the Rhodes network and some of the alumni groups linked to UK universities.

The Hon Phil Goff and Simon Bridges MP gave accounts of their time in the UK and what it had meant for their careers to study there.  You can watch interviews with some of our alumni, including Phil Goff.

If you came along, it was great to see you. If you couldn’t make it this time, I hope to see you at future events. We’d like to encourage you to register with us if you are an alumnus of the Chevening/FCO scholarship programme, or a related scholarship scheme that involved study in the UK. So, spread the word and encourage friends in your network to contact us through the website. Similarly, if you organise events for your British alma mater, do let us know what your plans are, as we might be able to help publicise them.

In the meantime, we are running a competition for a Chevening Hansard Research Scholarship for study in the UK between January and April 2010.  This is aimed at political leaders of the future.