01 August 2024
Katherine McKeough
By email:
[FYI request #27576 email]
Tēnā koe Katherine
Official information request regarding SEA CAPE 2024 Tertiary Market
Immersion Programme alongside the Matariki celebration
We refer to your official information request dated 11th July 2024:
“Please provide the process on how companies were selected to attend this
programme. From a Linked In post on 11 July by Marfiya Tatlik who is a
employee of the South East Asia Centre of Asia Pacific Excellence, quote:
"While representing both SEA CAPE and my own company, MT NZ Design, this
event brought a fresh perspective to my exploration of business culture and
opportunities in Malaysia." Was this employee attending as a paid employee of
SEA CAPE or sponsored for her business?
Please also provide how many Māori businesses and Māori representatives were
selected to attend this "2024 Tertiary Market Immersion Programme alongside
the Matariki celebration".”
Marfiya Tatlik is the Senior Programme Coordinator for SEA CAPE who was responsible
for coordinating and leading the Tertiary Market Immersion Programme (TMIP)
programme. The Senior Programme Coordinator was the head of the delegation and
attended on behalf of SEA CAPE as the Director of the Centre as not able to make the trip
due to other commitments. There were no personal business practices involved.
The Senior Programme Coordinator’s business background was voluntarily utilised for
knowledge and information sharing purposes, primarily delivering valuable business
information and knowledge back to New Zealand to share with local enterprises. This
sharing of information is an important aspect of the TMIP programme. SEA CAPE did not
sponsor any of the Senior Programme Coordinator’s personal business ventures.
The 2024 TMIP around Matariki was designed specifically as a follow on from previous
TMIP programmes (including last year’s Matariki programme in Malaysia) and therefore
only SEA CAPE alumni were eligible to be selected. Three Māori businesses (alumni) were
selected to attend.
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of the decisions
made regarding this request. Information about how to make a complaint is available at
www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or freephone 0800 802 602.
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact me at
[VUW request email].
Ngā mihi nui,
Legal Services
Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington
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