The National Council.

• Position: Institute Notes - New Zealand Institute of International Affairs - Conference news

The NZIIA's annual dinner was held at the Wellington Club on 9 May, with 145 present, the second largest attendance after the 75th anniversary occasion in 2009. Because 9 May was also Europe Day, proceedings opened with a few remarks by Michalis Rokas, the charge d'affaires of the EU Delegation, and a video presentation by Baroness Catherine Ashton, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs. Prime Minister John Key was the guest of honour, and his substantial speech was well received.

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At the National Council next day, NZIIA President Sir Douglas Kidd reported upon another successful year in 2011. Although its level of activity dropped inevitably from that of the anniversary year, the National Office's programme had included 36 events, while branches had staged more than a hundred speaking events. A highlight had been the establishment of a new branch in Nelson, the NZIIA's tenth, on 3 August. Sir Douglas also alluded to the unprecedented amount of seminar activity and to the support received in this area from corporate and institutional members. A significant new field had opened up with the NZIIA's involvement in the design and delivery of a training programme for young diplomats in Papua New Guinea (described in more detail elsewhere in this issue). Sir Douglas also took the opportunity to pay tribute to the efforts of soon to retire director Brian Lynch.

The council noted with regret the passing of life member Sir Frank Holmes and vice presidents Denis McLean and Mary Boyd in 2011.

The council elected three new life members: Athol Mann, Stuart McMillan and Ken Aldred. Sir Douglas Kidd, Roberto Rabel and Athol Mann were all re-elected to their positions as president, vice president and treasurer respectively. Suse Reynolds was also re-elected as chair of the Research and Publications Committee.

Douglas Day and Dr Helen Anderson stood down from the standing committee. Dr Rebecca Foley, the team leader, International and Strategy Policy Co-ordination, at the New Zealand Customs Service, and Dr Scott Gallacher, a deputy director-general in the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, were elected in their place.

In his report the director, Brian Lynch, outlined the programme undertaken by the National Office in 2011. This comprised 21 public addresses, six seminars, six roundtable meetings, two book launches and one panel discussion. With his successor, Peter Kennedy, to take over as director...