Providing a bridge.

• Author: Nikkhou-OBrien, Maty
• Position: Editorial

It is a privilege to be appointed to the role of the executive director of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, and to be the first woman to occupy this position. I would like to thank the institute for putting their trust in me, and offering me this exciting and challenging role. I would also like to acknowledge my predecessor, Peter Kennedy, for his dedication, and remarkable work at the institute for the last three years, and wish him wholeheartedly all the best in his future endeavours.

In an ever changing world, in the face of new power dynamics, security challenges and economic inter-dependencies, and with a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council, the role of the NZIIA today is as vital as ever. The NZIIA is one of worlds pioneering institutes of international affairs, having been established more than 80 years ago, before the very foundation of the United Nations. This was at a time of great social and economic upheaval worldwide. It is this same pioneering spirit that we hope to harness today, to engage New Zealanders from all walks of life; to provide a trusted platform on international affairs and analyse their impact on New Zealand.

Our mission is to provide a bridge between knowledge and power, to converse, to question and to inform about events that occur near or far, but which are of importance to our own wellbeing, and that are sometimes lacking in the public discourse. Being in the Antipodes, we are well placed to know that there is not one unique way and angle of looking at global affairs. In other words, we do not live in a black and white world, but in a world of many shades of grey. Bringing perspective and broadening debate...