National office and branch activities.

• Position: INSTITUTE NOTES

On 30 May the NZIIA joined with the European Union Delegation to New Zealand to host an address by Jean-Christophe Belliard, deputy secretary general of the European External Action Service, on 'Europe Today'. On the same day James Shaw MP, Green Party co-leader and spokesperson for climate change, finance and economic development, addressed a meeting at Parliament on 'Hope in the 21st Century'.

On 1 June the NZIIA joined Microsoft to host a breakfast meeting with Norm Judah, chief technology officer, Worldwide Services, Microsoft.

The NZIIA's National Council and Annual Dinner were held on the 21st, with Rt Hon Bill English as guest speaker at the latter. A full report on these events will be published in the September-October issue.

The leader of the Opposition, Andrew Little MP, addressed a meeting at Parliament on 28 June. His topic was 'New Zealand in a Changing World.' (The text of his address will be published in the next issue.)

Auckland

On 1 June the branch presented a film on the strategy of the Tokelau Islands for future energy needs, which was followed by a discussion with the film's director, Ulli Weissbach.

The following meetings were held:

21 Mar Joanna Mossop (Victoria University of Wellington), 'South China Sea Arbitration'. 10 May HE Jose Gerardo Traslosheros Hernandez (Mexican ambassador), 'Mexico and New Zealand: Building Bridges in the Asia-Pacific'. 24 May Prof Elena Isayev (University of Exeter), 'The Impact of Refugees on Economic, Political and Social Circumstances in the European Union'. Christchurch

The following meetings were held:

2 May Associate Prof Wang Dong (School of International Studies and executive deputy director of the Institute for China--US People to People Exchange at Peking University), 'Reglobalisation: When China Meets the World Again'. 22 May Prof Kevin Clements (National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies at the University of Otago) and Associate Prof Peter Field (Department of History, University of Canterbury), 'Trump's First 100 Days in Office'. Hawke's Bay

The following meetings were held:

2 May Prof Claire Robinson (pro vice-chancellor of Massey University Wellington), 'Brexit: Trump: Is This the End of the World?: Consequences for New Zealand.' 29 Jun Ken Aldred (a former branch chairman and an NZIIA life member), 'Global Politics: the Changing Landscape. Is the United Nations Still on the Map?' Nelson

Sadly, Nelson chair Hugo Judd passed away on 2 May. His obituary is to be found...