Scott Thompson
Victoria University of Wellington

I thank you for your efforts which made it possible for me and others to attend the Voices of New Zealand 2007 programme. It was an extraordinary experience. The relationships I have formed and the knowledge I have gained will be invaluable.

The calibre of the speakers was amazing. We were able to listen to and question speakers ranging from the informative and extremely entertaining Phil O’Reilly of Business New Zealand through to the New Zealand trade minister, Phil Goff. I have learnt much from the opportunity to listen to these impressive individuals. Not only do I take away a greater understanding of APEC and international business, I also now realise the importance of relationships and confidence to success.

The programme was a challenging and rewarding experience. The quantity of activities and speakers that comprised the programme was comprehensive. What this programme was able to cover in only 3 days is a testament to the organisational abilities and efforts of the coordinators.

I also enjoyed the social nature of the programme. I found the time spent in a team working towards the preparation of snapshots and presentations both engaging and enjoyable. Having time to simply socialise with the other participants also provided me an opportunity to meet and form relationships with some incredible people.

Much to my surprise I was one of the students selected to attend the Voices programme in Sydney. I am thankful for this opportunity and look forward to gaining as much as possible from it.

I would like to thank the New Zealand VTM Trust for this fantastic experience.