It all started when…

Aotearoa New Zealand has a thriving international development sector, but there was no concerted effort to connect the professionals across the ID landscape. So, a collective of young professionals working and volunteering in this space gathered together to try do something about it!

IDYP aims to advance education and contribute to the strength of Aotearoa’s ID community by:

  1. providing opportunities for development, training of skills, and capabilities; 

  2. building public understanding, appreciation, and awareness of the activities and challenges faced by individuals and organisations engaged in the international development sector in New Zealand and abroad; 

  3. providing a credible space for young professionals and the public to hear from experts in the field of international development and to build/develop knowledge and share/develop ideas about the international development as a field of science and practice; and

  4. creating opportunities for young professionals to come together to debate, discuss critical issues, and collaborate on projects in order to increase the impact of their everyday work.

Our values:

  • Autonomous/Independent

  • Connected

  • Diverse & Inclusive

  • Evidence-based

  • Influential

  • Sustainable

2022-2023 Board

Sam Davis, Chair

Wellington

Sam works as a Project Coordinator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. He holds a Masters of Science in International Relations from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences.

He is actively involved with the Wellington Tramping Mountaineering Club, and has previously volunteered on the boards of student bodies in Norway. Sam enjoys maintaining an active lifestyle, often found walking the hills around Wellington, and enjoys cooking, baking and board games.

Sam is passionate about international development in the Pacific, and the role New Zealand plays in this region. He is interested in sustainable development and the post-covid recovery in the Pacific region.

Rebekah Robertson, Co-Chair

Auckland

Rebekah is a Climate and Environment Adviser at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Rebekah supports the Climate Change and Environment team to deliver New Zealand's International Climate Finance Strategy.

Rebekah is driven by making a difference through her work by supporting communities to be able to adapt to the impacts of climate change, promoting resilient and sustainable development.

Rebekah completed a Bachelor of Science in Geology and Geography and holds a Masters of Disaster Risk and Resilience from the University of Canterbury.

Stephanie Fry, Treasurer

Auckland

Steph enjoys the hands-on relationship side of international development and working in the INGO sector in Aotearoa New Zealand. Steph loves bringing people together to share new ideas and experiences. 

She is currently the Humanitarian Programmes Specialist at Tearfund NZ and previously worked for a smaller INGO as an International Programmes Manager and is a member representative on the Council for International Development's Code of Conduct committee. 

She has experience in Agribusiness and Finance and in 2019 she completed a Masters in International Rural Development. She is a member representative on the Council for International Development's Code of Conduct committee and is also completing a Post-graduate Diploma in Environmental Management

Andre Grover, Membership Co-Chair

Wellington

Andre currently works at Education New Zealand supporting students on international development scholarships to complete their studies in Aotearoa, and to contribute to the development of their home countries.

He holds a BA(Hons) from Te Herenga Waka - Victoria University of Wellington, specialising in development studies, criminology, and public policy, and has experience working in the public sector and tertiary education sector.

Capacity building through education is an area of particular interest to Andre.

Belle George, Wellington Events Co-chair

Wellington

Belle recently returned home to Aotearoa and is working as a Policy Analyst helping to develop the novel 'Equitable Transition Strategy' which seeks to ensure the transition to a low-emissions future is just, fair and inclusive for all New Zealanders. Belle enjoys working at the intersection of climate and social policy. Outside of work, she likes tramping, yoga, and sharing new recipes with friends.

Belle completed a Bachelor of Arts in Politics and Sociology at the University of Cambridge and spent a year as a fully-funded postgraduate fellow studying International Development at Harvard University. At Harvard she developed a keen interest in evidence-based approaches to international development, in particular the use of randomised control trials for evaluating programs' impact.

Katja Phutaraksa Neef, Communications & Awareness C0-Chair

Auckland

Katja Phutaraksa Neef is currently completing her research masters in Development Studies and has a regional focus on Asia and the Pacific.

She grew up in Thailand and Japan and has participated in field research and workshops in Fiji, Vanuatu, Thailand, Cambodia, Tanzania, Peru, Indonesia, and West Papua. 

Her research and advocacy interests include issues concerning land governance and dispossession, refugee rights, social inclusion, Indigenous rights, forced migration, and climate justice.

Laura Green, Business Engagement Co-Chair

Wellington

Laura is a solicitor specialising in public law, and holds a Masters of Public International Law from Leiden University. 

She worked for 4 years in the humanitarian aid sector, including for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva, and previously volunteered for Excellent Development in Kenya.  

She is motivated to contribute to building a community of people with shared interests in international development.  Laura enjoys sailing, cycling, and playing the double bass.

Maria Dela Cruz, Auckland Events C0-Chair

Auckland

Maria originates from the Philippines and has previous experience in the humanitarian and education sector. She has an interest in International Relations and helping with events relating to culture or language.

She was a part of the International Students group during her study and has completed the Common Purpose - Global Leadership Experience programme with a theme of Inclusivity in Smart Cities.

She also completed the Young Sustainability Leaders programme where she developed her knowledge in sustainability. One of her projects was presenting the idea of a wellbeing space for her university.

She is a keen collaborator and believes in the African proverb “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”.

Current Openings:

IDYP Māori Engagement Chair

IDYP Event Photographers

Please send through your resume/CV and tell us what interests you in this role and international development. Applications will only be accepted if submitted to: idyp.nz@gmail.com

Strategic documents

IDYP is committed to operating with transparency and accountability. This page provides our key operational documents. If you would like any further information or have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch!

We are currently in the process of applying to be a NZ Registered Charity.

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IDYP Amended Rules

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2020 - 2021 Strategic Plan

2020/21 Strategic PLan

Read Document
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CID Code Of CONDUCT

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CID MEMBER WELCOME

Read Document

Monitoring & Evaluation

IDYP sets targets against the objectives outlined in our strategic plan. We assess our progress against some targets on an ongoing basis and others on an annual basis, depending on what’s most appropriate.

Stay tuned for a report on performance across the whole strategic plan at the end of our first full year of operations. In the meantime we’re proud of our achievements over the first six months.

Complaints Handling

Submit a complaint to IDYP.

IDYP voluntarily participates in the CID Complaints Handling Process, which offers an independent mechanism to address concerns relating to the conduct of CID members. Please read through the IDYP Complaints Policy here.

The complaint will be acknowledged within 7 days, and the responsible board member will strive to resolve minor complaints within one week, though please be aware we are all volunteers.

You may also make a complaint directly to CID, and a complaint may be made by any member of the public, another signatory organisation to the Code or any other body. The CID Code of Conduct Committee is responsible for investigating complaints.

The IDYP & CID complaints processes are governed by the following principles:

  • Awareness and accessibility for stakeholders

  • Independence of the complaints process

  • Fairness

  • Transparency

  • Confidentiality

  • Efficiency

Submit a complaint to IDYP.