A selfie at a visit to Rotorua hot pools. Photo supplied by Coco Clellend.

Kia ora koutou,

My name is Coco, and as some of you may know, I have been interning for NCWNZ for the past two months as the board administrator. A recent History graduate from the UK, I was looking for experience in international relations, gender advocacy, and politics. Combining this experience with overseas travel I thought would be an added bonus, which led me to NCWNZ, and I suddenly found myself on the other side of the world!

Working with the Board, Parliamentary Watch Committee (PWC), and the Action Hubs, as well as interacting with the members has been an incredibly enriching experience. The range of projects that I have had an insight into and the opportunity to assist with, such as drafting PWC submissions or taking minutes for meetings covering a diverse range of topics from offshore wind farming to discussing the UN’s 2025 Commission for the Status of Women with the Ministry for Women, has been a fascinating and invaluable experience.

An art piece that caught Coco's eye during the Suffrage tour of Parliament she attended with the Wellington branch.

The opportunity to attend a range of engaging and pertinent talks has been a particular highlight, affirming my passion for international relations and expanding my political acumen. Thank you to the Wellington Branch for circulating the events happening! A particular standout was the panel discussion "Argentina & New Zealand in Antarctica: Multilateral Diplomacy & Scientific Collaboration." It was a unique and captivating insight into the importance of multilateral relations in a field of which I had little to no knowledge. Hearing about this unexpected partnership in preserving Antarctica and witnessing diplomats from around the world endorsing each other’s efforts was both eye-opening and inspiring. I was also fortunate to have the chance to speak personally with some of the diplomats in attendance, including someone from the Malyasian Embassy in New Zealand, who had just embarked on her first overseas posting.

My main project during the internship was assisting with the planning and execution annual NCWNZ Conference and Annual General Meeting. This culminated in a fantastic event, and it was wonderful to finally meet so many of the members I had been in contact with online. The workshops sparked insightful discussions, and networking with such a passionate and inspiring group of women was a true pleasure. The sunny weather also allowed me to explore the beautiful city of Christchurch, making the weekend all the more special.

Coco attended an All Blacks game.

Overall, my time at NCWNZ has been a rewarding and unforgettable experience, standing me in good stead to pursue a career in international relations. I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the whole team at NCWNZ, especially Suzanne (and Bruce!) for their overwhelming kindness and generosity in opening their home to me and showing me what both NCWNZ and New Zealand have to offer.

Now I am heading down to Wanaka for a month before travelling for a further three months, making my way back home to the UK! Next, I plan to start a Masters in international relations beginning in September 2025.

Ngā mihi nui,
Coco Clelland

To read more articles from The Circular (September-October 2024) issue 649, click on the tag below.