The Psychology of Gen Z's Uprising: Protest, Play, and Purpose

Across Asia, a new kind of uprising is unfolding, fuelled by humour, play and a strong sense of purpose. In Nepal, Gen Z is showing the world that protest does not always look like despair. It can look like resilience stitched with laughter. This moment is about more than politics. It is about a generation reimagining healing, courage and collective strength in the face of uncertainty.

Behind the Stats: The Human Cost of New Zealand's Sceond-Language Learning Deficit

Dr Anita Perkins explores the human side of language learning, highlighting why she and other experts believe New Zealand’s decline in this area is cause for concern.

Music, Seoul, and Cross-Cultural Encounters

Music journalist Samantha Cheong shared her experience in South Korea, capturing the vibrancy of Seoul’s pop culture and music scene. Supported by the Asia Media Centre travel grant, she joined a New Zealand indie band on their residency in the country and witnessed how the local quartet stepped onto the global stage, embraced by Korean audiences.

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

NEW LAWS WILL PREVENT LAND CONVERSION FOR TOURISM IN BALI TO REDUCE FLOOD RISKS | THE BALI SUN

Leaders in Bali have confirmed that new policies will be brought into legislation to better control the conversion of agricultural land and wild landscapes on the island into commercial and residential properties. The announcement comes as Bali remains in an official state of emergency following devastating floods in the last six days.

CHINESE EMBASSY ACCUSES SIS OF HARASSMENT AT NZ AIRPORT | WAIKATO TIMES

The Chinese Embassy in Wellington has accused New Zealand’s Security Intelligence Service (SIS) of “harassment” after a Chinese citizen was questioned and had devices seized at an airport. In a statement, the embassy said the devices have not been returned and warned Chinese travellers to “remain vigilant” when entering or leaving New Zealand. The SIS declined to comment on the specific case but said it operates within the law and that any engagement with individuals is conducted professionally and under its legal mandate.

Related news:

Chinese diplomats pressured university over Taiwan event | Newsroom

CHINA UNVEILS MARITIME TRAINING PROGRAMME FOR PACIFIC ISLAND NATIONS | PACIFIC MEDIA NETWORK

China's engagement in Pacific maritime cooperation is increasing, with a focus on areas such as marine science, economic development, environmental protection, and maritime security. But its growing presence is also altering regional geostrategic dynamics. This week, China launched a practical training programme aimed at helping maritime officials from the Pacific improve their skills and promote cross-cultural understanding, the Chinese government announced.

THE OLDEST MUMMIES IN THE WORLD MAY HAIL FROM SOUTHEASTERN ASIA AND DATE BACK 12,000 YEARS | ABC NEWS

A new study published on Monday in the journal proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences found human remains that were buried in crouched or squatted positions with some cuts and burn marks in various archaeological sites across China and Vietnam and to a lesser extent, from the Philippines, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

The U.S. and China have struck a framework deal on TikTok, but questions over ownership, algorithms and politics show the rivalry is far from over.

The United States and China have agreed on a framework that could see TikTok’s U.S. operations shift from Chinese parent company ByteDance to an American company. The deal, reached during trade talks in Madrid on Monday, is the latest step in a long-running saga that has stretched across two presidencies, multiple court battles, and repeated deadline extensions.

But this is about more than just a corporate takeover. The negotiations show how Washington and Beijing now treat social media platforms as strategic assets tied to national security, trade, and cultural influence.

From ByteDance to “Who?”

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed in Madrid that TikTok would “switch from being owned by Chinese company ByteDance to being owned by a U.S. company”. It is not yet clear which firm will take over, though Oracle, which has close political ties to President Donald Trump, has been widely tipped.

For Bessent, the issue is simple.

“They’re interested in Chinese characteristics of the app, which they think are soft power. We don’t care about Chinese characteristics. We care about national security," he said during the Madrid briefing.

In other words, China sees TikTok as a soft power tool, while the U.S. sees it as a security risk.

To ban or not to ban, is the question

In 2024, Congress passed the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (PAFACA), which required TikTok to be sold on security grounds. The Supreme Court upheld the law, forcing ByteDance to either divest or face a ban in the U.S.

But enforcement has been repeatedly delayed. Trump, who first went after TikTok during his first term, has now extended deadlines several times since returning to office. The current extension expires this week, though officials are already signalling another 90-day reprieve to allow more time.

Even if Trump and Xi agree, Congress will need to approve the deal, adding another layer of uncertainty.

Continue reading on the Asia Media Centre Website to know what's the Algorith Question, and what's next for the deal. 

-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