Young Pacific leaders from across Aotearoa are now halfway through a transformative nine‑week journey in Thailand, supported through the Prime Minister’s Scholarship Programme for Asia. Representing the growing Pan‑Pacific diaspora of New Zealand, these emerging educators, technologists, youth workers, and community leaders are living and learning in five Thai provinces — carrying their cultures, values, and ancestral intelligence into classrooms and communities.

Delivered in partnership with Pagoda Projects and aligned with Education New Zealand’s International Education Strategy, the programme is a powerful example of global citizenship in action.

This blog shares their journey so far — the learning, the leadership, the cultural exchange, and the profound impact of seeing the world through a Pacific lens.

Step into a journey that will challenge, inspire, and connect you. We are calling for Expressions of Interest for our next Prime Minister’s Scholarship for Asia (PMSA) Thailand Experience. Delivered in partnership with Education New Zealand Manapou ki te ao, Pagoda Projects, and Princess Chulabhorn Schools, this programme offers Pacific participants the chance to build global citizenship skills, explore Thailand’s STEM and innovation sectors, and bring fresh insights home. Hear from past PMSA Vietnam alumni whose experiences transformed their perspectives — and see how this could be your next big ste

As global powers compete for influence across the Blue Pacific, questions are rising about how aid is delivered, who it serves, and what future it’s shaping. I

This op-ed challenges donors, policymakers, and regional institutions to rethink aid effectiveness and prioritise Pacific voices, Pacific leadership, and Pacific futures.