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Hannah Malloch, New Zealand
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Senior Policy Analyst
New Zealand Customs
Public Policy Program (’12)
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Please tell us about your career path so far. What is your area of specialization and how did you come to work in this area?
My career has been primarily as a Policy Analyst in the field of border management and security. I began working in immigration policy at Immigration New Zealand with a focus on illegal migration issues. I then completed the one-year Masters in Public Policy at GRIPS with a concentration in Foreign and Security Policy. On my return to New Zealand I moved to New Zealand’s Customs Service.
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You are currently Senior Policy Analyst at New Zealand Customs. What are your main responsibilities and duties?
As a Senior Policy Analyst in the International Strategy and Policy Team at Customs, I am responsible for developing the International Strategy for Customs and for supporting our Customs Counsellors based in Beijing and Bangkok. I specialize in developing greater connections between New Zealand and customs administrations in the Asia region.
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In your current capacity, what do you see as the main opportunities and challenges for New Zealand over the course of the next five to ten years?
Trade volumes are increasing enormously for New Zealand and our range of trade partners are constantly increasing, particularly as new trade agreements are signed and trade becomes more competitive. This means customs needs to develop more cooperative agreements with other countries to enable more and better information sharing. Access to information from other customs agencies is essential and gaining this access from new trade partners relies on good relationship development and building trust.
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What are some of the biggest challenges you face in your work? And what have been the most interesting or rewarding aspects of your career thus far?
In my career, it is difficult to keep an eye on the constant changes in the operating environment. Almost everything Customs does has an international element, and so the International Strategy and Policy team tries hard to monitor and inform all international engagements and interpret what the changes in the global travel and trading trends mean for Customs. I find this work very interesting and enjoy how this work keeps me in touch with several parts of the Customs business, across both the Policy Group and Operations management staff.
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During your career in the New Zealand public service, what achievement(s) are you most proud of?
Hannah with her Program Director, Prof. James Rhodes, at the graduation day.
I am most proud of my project management of New Zealand’s Plan of Action to Prevent People Trafficking. (http://www.dol.govt.nz/publications/research/people-trafficking/)
I developed this plan while I was in the Immigration Policy Team of Immigration NZ. It involved bringing several agencies together into a working group to build a plan to fill the gaps in New Zealand’s government response to people trafficking crimes and to set up better assistance for victims.
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Because of my leadership of this work, I was invited to participate in the United States’ International Visitor Leadership Program in 2009. I travelled around the United States with anti-trafficking specialists from around the world to learn more about the United States’ approach to anti-trafficking.
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What led you to GRIPS? What is the most important thing you got out of your studies here, and how has your experience at GRIPS prepared you for future endeavours?
I visited Japan in 2009 on a work trip where I heard about GRIPS. This turned out to be a life changing discovery. I came home and applied for the 2011-2012 academic year. My training at GRIPS gave me the qualification I needed to get ahead in my career. I am aiming to be a public sector leader in New Zealand and a Masters degree is essential.
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What is your fondest memory of your time spent at GRIPS? And what do you miss about Japan?
Enjoying the cherry blossoms with mum.
My fondest memory of GRIPS was the graduation ceremony. It was a wonderful day filled with a feeling of such achievement. I also treasure the memories of my mother visiting Tokyo during the cherry blossom season. We enjoyed exploring the city during that magical time.
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How do you maintain a balance between your work and the rest of your life?
I work very hard, but I try not to work excessive hours. I find weekly yoga classes and walking to work relaxes me and helps me to maintain my balance and health.
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If you could give one piece of advice to anyone considering studying at GRIPS what would it be?
My advice would be to take the opportunity to study at GRIPS as it is a huge boost for both professional development and personal growth. The level of education is exceptional and living in Tokyo is an incredible experience. I was blessed to have my fiancé with me for the year, his constant encouragement and support helped me to get through the tough assignments. I would recommend people to bring their spouse if at all possible.
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How would you like to maintain involved with the School? What do you expect from GRIPS as an alumnus?
I enjoy reading the Alumnus of the Month articles, it is interesting to see how people take their experience at GRIPS to become leaders in their home countries. A GRIPS reunion in Tokyo would be wonderful, perhaps once every 10 years.
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Do you have any suggestions on how to further utilize the GRIPS alumni network?
It would be good to have a searchable database of Alumni that other alumni can use to find their counterparts in other countries. This would provide a great network for people around the world in specialized fields of work.
