Niki Menzies - Art History and Chinese graduate

“My day-to-day work changes depending on world events, meetings and summits, and Ministerial travel between Malaysia and New Zealand. My work involves building connections across government and civil society groups, writing briefs or advice on current foreign policy issues, organising events and travel for New Zealand Ministers, and working with staff in other diplomatic missions. It’s a huge privilege to be representing New Zealand offshore.

“I started at MFAT as a grad in 2021, and I’m now working in Kuala Lumpur at New Zealand’s High Commission to Malaysia (also accredited to Brunei). It’s always exciting to see New Zealand make announcements on a global scale and know you had a hand in them. Knowing my work contributes to tangible benefits for New Zealanders is truly rewarding.

“Foreign policy staff move into a new role approximately every two years. This means we build up a broad understanding of issues that matter to New Zealand across foreign affairs and trade before we undertake an offshore posting. I really enjoy gaining different knowledge and skills in each role and being able to learn more about different parts of the world, and what New Zealand’s interests are in each place.

“During my time at the University of Auckland, I studied Chinese, Economics, International Business, and Art History. I ​wanted​​ ​to study Chinese at university and was impressed by the language department and the enthusiasm of the teaching staff. The cross-cultural skills​ that I developed during my language study means I work well with others from different cultures, which has been very useful in my working life.

“I was also interested in what history can teach us about human behaviour and world events happening tod​​ay. These subjects helped me to build language, research, analysis, and communication skills – and built my interest in foreign affairs and trade policy. 

“Today we are inundated by world news. The research and analysis skills I have learnt allows me to focus on key information and brief in advice that will help inform New Zealand’s position on foreign affairs issues.

“The University had a great range of papers on offer from Business Studies and Economics to Art History and languages. I was attracted by the opportunity to study a conjoint degree with majors across a range of subjects, which meant I didn’t need to sacrifice any of my interests.

“For me, choosing a mix of papers and majors that I was passionate about in made all the difference – truly enjoying my degree motivated me to push myself.

“Studying languages with the same classmates everyday allows you to build great friendships. I am still good friends with a number of my Mandarin Chinese classmates - a few of us are now working together at the Ministry!

“I had great lecturers, particularly in the languages school, who encouraged me to take ​up opportunities​​ and gave me the confidence to put my hat in the ring for opportunities that ended up shaping my career trajectory - like the Prime Minister’s Scholarship to Asia and the University’s Summer Research Scholarships.

​​“In terms of finding employment after university, I really valued the career support provided, including CV and interview workshops. I utilised those services while I was applying for this job at MFAT – it was during the Covid-19 Pandemic and the team provided great advice and coaching on zoom interviews, which were a new concept to me.

​​“I also really benefited from programmes offered like the Business School’s Women’s mentorship programme and Dean’s Leadership Programme. These programmes helped me practice networking, and think more deeply about the kind of work I wanted to do when I graduated – and the kind of colleague I wanted to be.

“I would encourage students to make the most of clubs and study groups available. I found them helpful in both building a community but also develop experiences that helped shape my prospects when it came to applying for jobs.”