Joining ASEAN: Timor-Leste’s Long Journey To The Table

Anna Thomas writes that this October, Asia’s youngest nation, Timor-Leste, will finally join ASEAN as its 11th member - a milestone more than a decade in the making. For its 1.4 million people, the step is both symbolic and practical, a chance to affirm identity while testing whether regional integration can deliver jobs, infrastructure, and opportunity.

Anutin's Leadership: Thailand's Four-Month Test

Thailand is on its third prime minister since 2023. Anutin Charnvirakul, leader of the country’s second-largest political party, has taken the helm. Yet his tenure looks temporary — he has publicly committed to holding the post for just four months. Dr Purawich Watanasukh writes.

NZ's Pivot to Asia: A Journalist's Look Back at the Open Skies Pact

In March 1997, a headline in The Straits Times announced what seemed, on the surface, to be a routine commercial arrangement — but in essence, it marked the beginning of deeper ties between New Zealand and Asia, particularly Singapore.

What interesting stories about our region are being reported? Here's a roundup from the past week:

TYPHOON BUALOI DEATH TOLL RISES TO AT LEAST 30 ACROSS VIETNAM, THAILAND AND PHILIPPINES | THE GUARDIAN

The death toll from Typhoon Bualoi has climbed past 30 in Southeast Asia, with Vietnam hardest hit. Nineteen people are confirmed dead and 21 missing, as torrential rains heighten the risk of further flooding and landslides in the country’s north.

NAVIGATING THE MEKONG | NEWSROOM

In her latest piece, Suzannah Jessep explores the Mekong — the vital artery of mainland Southeast Asia. Leading a small New Zealand delegation to Vientiane, she highlights the region’s environmental pressures, political complexities, and development challenges. New Zealand’s role may be modest, but it is respected: seen as a trusted partner, a thoughtful listener, and a constructive presence focused on supporting regional stability and prosperity.

NEW ZEALAND AND ASEAN THROUGH 50 YEARS | ASIA IN FOCUS

The Asia New Zealand Foundation has released the first in a series of three reports to mark the 50th anniversary of ASEAN–New Zealand relations. Written by historian Dr Malcolm McKinnon, New Zealand and ASEAN Through 50 Years traces the diplomatic history of the partnership and how it has evolved, particularly since the end of the Cold War. 

INDIA BEAT PAKISTAN IN THRILLER TO WIN ASIA CUP | BBC

India beat Pakistan by five wickets in a tense final to retain the Asia Cup at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. It was the third meeting between the rivals at the tournament and success for India earned them a ninth title.

Three New Zealand opposition MP’s plan to call for more action on Myanmar following a fact-finding mission at the Thailand-Myanmar border concluded.

Hon. Phil Twyford and Rachel Boyack of the Labour Party and Teanau Tuiono of the Green Party spent nine days in Thailand at its border with Myanmar, meeting with a host of Myanmar people and groups who oppose the country’s military rule.

They said they will be returning to New Zealand to call for the government to do more on helping Myanmar.

Speaking at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club of Thailand in Bangkok on Monday evening, all three lawmakers discussed their mission.

Rachel Boyack, MP for Nelson in New Zealand’s Labour Party, says their visit has been important to see things on the ground.

“We spent a significant time on the Thai-Myanmar border, meeting leaders from a range of organizations, with the NGO sector, civil society, NUG, NUCC, civil disobedience organizations, union employer organizations and media talking to them about a range of issues,” Boyack said.

“We have seen a cut in funding into those organizations and we are calling very clearly for the international community to step up and lift their game of how much funding is being provided for the humanitarian need in Myanmar," she added.

Myanmar relied heavily on aid from the US Agency for International Development (USAID) programme, but that was dismantled this year under US President Trump.

Getting aid into the country has always been an issue with reduced funding, access to conflict-torn areas and the military blocking potential assistance.

“We all believe that the focus on Myanmar has been lost within the international community. We want to see a greater focus on Myanmar. There needs to be a lift in humanitarian aid and a focus on getting that aid where it needs gets to,” she added.

In February 2021 Myanmar’s military, led by General Min Aung Hlaing, ousted the democratically elected government and seized power. Protests soon ensued nationwide, but since then the junta have violently cracked down on dissidents and opposition groups. Myanmar is now in a state of civil war with several opposition and ethnic armed organisations resisting military rule. An estimated 3.5 million have been displaced, with over 7,300 killed by the military according to rights groups.

Thailand shares a 1,500-mile border with Myanmar, where conflict has been constant since the coup. Thousands of Myanmar refugees, opposition groups and media have fled over the border, living precariously in Thailand to stay safe.

This allows journalists, NGO’s, and politicians a firsthand look of the impact the civil war is having on the people of Myanmar.

Continue reading on AMC website.

-Asia Media Centre

Spice Beta 2025 - Thailand

The Asia Media Centre is offering four New Zealand-based journalists the opportunity to attend the Splice Beta 2025 Media Conference in Chiang Mai, Thailand.

This opportunity will support a small delegation of journalists, web editors, and media startups to join the Splice Beta in November 2025. The conference is the only event in Asia that brings together the full media ecosystem — including startup founders, investors, journalists, NGOs, CEOs, and academics.

Attending will give New Zealand journalists the chance to:

• Build and expand professional networks across Asia
• Learn about innovative media models and emerging practices
• Exchange insights with peers working at the cutting edge of media

Travel dates: November 24-29, 2025

🗓️ Applications close on 1 October 2025

👉 More information here

For applications. Email your CV and Expression of Interest (EOI) letter to AMC Media Adviser Carla Teng-Westergaard at cteng@asianz.org.nz

Media Travel Grant

Asia Media Centre Media Travel Grants support New Zealand journalists to travel independently in Asia to research and produce stories that bring greater understanding of the region to New Zealand audiences.

🗓️ Applications close on 20 October 2025

Grants are awarded competitively to applicants with a clear, well-defined story plan. Strong applications include:

• Details of proposed features and interviewees
• Confirmed media outlets for publication
• Supporting letters from editors or producers
• Estimated costs and a draft itinerary

The grants are offered through the Asia Media Centre, established to strengthen New Zealand media coverage of Asia.

👉 More information here

👉 Apply now

Media internships

The Asia Media Centre’s Media Internship Programme is back! This initiative gives New Zealand senior journalism students, recent graduates and early-career journalists the chance to gain first-hand experience in leading newsrooms across Asia.

Internships run for 6 weeks to 3 months, usually between November and June (with flexibility to arrange dates directly with the host newsroom).

🗓️ Applications close on 13 October 2025

Explore the host newsrooms and learn more about each:

• Deccan Herald (India)
• Sri Lanka Rūpavāhinī Corporation TV (Sri Lanka)
• Thai PBS (Thailand)
• Bangkok Post (Thailand)
• Rappler (Philippines)
• The Philippine Star (Philippines)
• Taipei Times (Taiwan)
• TaiwanPlus (Taiwan)
• JoongAng Daily (South Korea)

👉 More information here

👉 Apply now