From left: Dr James Kember [board chair], Ian F. Grant [NZIIA Life Member], Richard Jackson, [Wairarapa branch president], Hamish McDougall [executive director]. PHOTO/HELEN HOLT
A special function was held by the Wairarapa branch of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs [NZIIA] at the Masterton Club last week, featuring two guest speakers and the acknowledgement of a local stalwart.
About 50 members and affiliates heard Dr James Kember, acting chair of the NZIAA National Board, and NZIIA executive director Dr Hamish McDougall speak about the importance of the organisation in educating and informing New Zealanders about the complexities of international relations in today’s world.
Kember also presented Life Membership of the NZIAA to Masterton man Ian F. Grant, who has been involved in running the Wairarapa branch as a committee member and chair for the past 20 years.
The NZIIA, established in 1934, is a charitable organisation which aims to foster expert discussion and understanding of international issues and trends, particularly as they relate to Aotearoa New Zealand, and the role Aotearoa plays on the world stage.
The organisation has seven branches around the country, including in Wairarapa.
The Wairarapa branch meets in Masterton, usually on the second and third Wednesday of each month, and publishes a monthly column, Internationally Speaking, in Midweek.
- For more information, contact branch president Richard Jackson at [email protected], or go to www.nziia.org.nz
