Although the Institute had ten country affiliates around the world, it had no representation in the Southern Hemisphere. An initiative to establish an Aspen Institute in New Zealand, was launched by Christine Maiden Sharp in May 2017. The Rt. Hon. Sir Don McKinnon, former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Helen Clark, former Prime Minister and Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, agreed to be co-patrons.
When the Institute launches in a new country, it typically soft launches as the Aspen Initiative, and once initial preconditions have been met, to the satisfaction of the Institute’s Board, then becomes a fully-fledged partner of the Aspen Institute International Network. The Aspen Initiative New Zealand was expected to transition into the Aspen Institute New Zealand within the next 12 months.
A one day workshop was held in Auckland with around 20 prominent thinkers, to help shape the Institute’s formation and focus, including Elliot Gerson, Executive Vice President of Policy and Public Programs and International Partners, from Washington DC.