Institute notes: the National Council meeting.

• Position: New Zealand Institute of International Affairs

The Annual Dinner of the NZIIA was held on Tuesday 27 June at the Wellington Club, with about 120 present. Guest of honour was the Governor-General, Dame Silvia Cartwright, who would shortly be relinquishing her position. In her address, she commented perceptively on the evolving role of the office of governor-general, especially its increasing importance in representing New Zealand overseas. (Part of her address is to be found elsewhere in this issue.)

At the National Council meeting on 28 June, all the office holders were re-elected for a further term--Sir Kenneth Keith as President, Bruce Brown as Vice President, and Athol Mann as Treasurer. Ian McGibbon was confirmed as Managing Editor of the NZIR for another year. Three new honorary vice presidents were elected--Professor Roberto Rabel (recently arrived at Victoria University of Wellington as Pro-Vice Chancellor (International)), Stuart McMillan (long-serving member of the Canterbury branch) and Hun Doug Kidd, the former Speaker of the House of Representatives. A full list of office holders is provided below. Judge Anand Satyanand stood down from the Standing Committee in consequence of his appointment as Dame Silvia Cartwright's successor as Governor-General; on behalf of the council, the President warmly congratulated him on his elevation and thanked him for his contribution to the NZIIA.

The Director, Brian Lynch, reported on a very busy year for the NZIIA in 2005. In all fifteen events had been held, including several well-supported seminars and roundtables. A highlight had been the day in tribute to Sir George Laking and Frank Corner. Noting that there were now 45 corporate members and 44 institutional members, he proclaimed the 'stretch' goal for 2006 to be fifty of each. He pointed to the need to broaden the number and scope of events to deliver a 'value proposition' to this growing and increasingly diverse group of 'stakeholders'.

Treasurer Athol Mann, in his report, indicated that the NZIIA was in a favourable position. When the council turned to the NZIR, Ian McGibbon pointed to another successful year. The financial position was sound and several younger members had joined the editorial committee. Reporting on the Research Committee's achievements in 2005, Rod Alley noted the appearance of several important publications, including the proceedings of the Corner-Laking seminar, and advised that the fourth volume of New Zealand in World Affairs was now nearing completion.

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