The National Council.

• Position: Institute Notes - Annual general meeting - Conference notes

The National Council AGM was held in Wellington on 4 June 2010. The NZIIA's annual dinner the previous evening at the Wellington Club was attended by 130 people. The guest speakers were John Allen, the CEO of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and HE Paul O'Sullivan AO, Australia's High Commissioner to New Zealand. Both gave informative and entertaining addresses well-suited to the occasion. The latter's text on the absorbing theme of 'Spy Fiction: Then and Now' is to be found elsewhere in this issue. During the evening, two of the three new life members of the NZIIA were presented with their citations.

The National Council began with the report of the president. Hon Russell Marshall reflected on 2009 being the NZIIA's busiest ever year, commending the work of the National Office in particular in the development and execution of a very full programme of events to mark the NZIIA's 75th anniversary. The 39 events hosted by National Office had been very well attended, by a total of over 4200 people. The choice of topical themes, participation by a good number of senior New Zealand political and private sector leaders, and the presence at many functions of highly regarded overseas presenters had all served to enhance the NZIIA's profile. The president acknowledged support for the National Office from corporate and institutional members and in particular from MFAT and Victoria University of Wellington.

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Russell Marshall was re-elected for another term as president, which he indicated would be his last. Also re-elected were the vice president, Professor Rob Rabel, the treasurer, Professor Athol Mann, and the managing editor of the NZIR, Dr Ian McGibbon. Professor Ann Trotter stood down from the chair of the Research and Publications Committee, and Terence O'Brien was elected to the position.

The council formally confirmed the appointment of the three new life members--Professor W. David McIntyre, Gift Davidson and Ann Trotter. More details on these new life members are provided below.

Four newcomers were appointed to the Standing Committee. They were Dr Scott Campion (Chief Executive, New Zealand Meat Board/Beef and Lamb New Zealand), Adele Mason (Deputy Chief Executive, Asia-New Zealand Foundation), Susan Reynolds (a council member of Angel Capital Association, New Zealand), and Dr Jon Tanner (Chief Executive, Organics New Zealand).

Speaking to his report, the director, Brian Lynch, noted that...