NZIIA’s Dr Jian Yang introduces Terry Michael to a packed house at Auckland University

Terry Michael on President Obama's First 100 Days

In May visiting US speaker Terry Michael, founder and executive director of the Washington Center for Politics and Journalism, undertook a series of engagements as part of a US State Department-sponsored  outreach tour in New Zealand.

In Auckland he spoke on the topic of, President Obama’s First One Hundred Days  to journalism students at Auckland University of Technology and to an audience of around  100 at the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs.
He also gave numerous media interviews while in Auckland.

History teacher Roydon Agent(L) and US Consul General John Desrocher(R), with pupils from Kamo High School

Consul General talks with Whangarei Students

U.S. Consul General John Desrocher visited Whangarei in late May.  He spoke to several history classes about life as a US diplomat at both Kamo High School and Whangarei Boys High, as well as to the local Whangarei South Rotary Club.

US Consul General John Desrocher reads the President’s Memorial Day proclamation

Memorial Day Commemorated in Auckland

U.S. Consul General John Desrocher was guest of honor at the annual U.S. Memorial Day commemoration service at Auckland War Memorial Museum on Sunday May 24.

A large number of guests, including veterans and their families, local politicians, senior NZ military representatives, and uniformed re-enactors attended to lay wreaths and pay their respects.

Natasha hopes to catch another glimpse of President Obama on her visit to the White House

Auckland Student to Represent New Zealand in Washington

On Friday, March 20, U.S. Consul Geneneral John Desrocher met with Auckland student Natasha Paul and her father Dr Sharad Paul.

12 year old Natasha made headlines in the New Zealand Herald last month when she was chosen as the only NZ representative on the prestigious People to People World Leadership Forum Ambassador Program in April.  As part of the program, Natasha will visit the White House and Congress.

John discussed with Natasha what she is likely to see on the program and presented her with some books on US history for her Diocesan Girls School.

(zoom)

U.S. Consul General visits Gisborne

In March US Consul General John Desrocher visited the city of Gisborne, where he met the Mayor and local officials and spoke to local Rotaries and the Chamber of Commerce.

John also had a lively debate with Yr 13 students at Lytton High School, who were studying the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Cold War in their NCEA History class.

Embassy Helps Artist Attend Visual Arts Forum

In February US Consul General John Desrocher was invited to Otara’s Fresh Gallery, the premier contemporary Pasifika art gallery in Manukau City.

Artist and gallery curator Ema Tavola had just received a cultural grant from the US Embassy to help her attend the world’s largest visual arts forum, the 2009 College Art Association conference in Los Angeles.  Presenting a paper on Fresh’s outreach to local Pacific audiences, Ema was accompanied on her trip by fellow Auckland-based artist Leilani Kake and curator Giles Peterson.

Insight Offered into U.S. Management of Financial Crisis

In March visiting economist Dr Jerry Jordan undertook a number of engagements as part of a US State Department-sponsored  outreach tour in Auckland, speaking on the topic, The Economic and Financial Crisis: It’s Origins and Consequences.

As well as speaking to a full house at the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Dr Jordan had numerous media interviews and meetings with Auckland bankers, economists, and think tanks

Consul Attends Dedication of Civil War Veteran's Headstone

On On Tuesday December 16, US Consul General in Auckland John Desrocher joined a group of local historians, U.S. veterans, west Auckland RSA members, and Waikumete Cemetery staff to dedicate the recently arrived headstone of Corporal Andrews A. St John, formerly of the 141st Pennsylvania Infantry, and veteran of the 2nd Battle of Bull Run in the American Civil War.

Andrews St John, who is one of only a handful of U.S. Civil War veterans buried in New Zealand, went on to have a distinguished diplomatic career in the South Pacific and Asia  … (photos)

Consul Discusses U.S. Electoral System with Remuera Lions

On October 14, US Consular Chief in Auckland, Nick Greanias, was the guest of the Remuera Lions Club, where he spoke to members about the U.S. presidential election system.  Nick explored the 18th century arguments and compromises which created modern political institutions such as presidential primaries and the unique Electoral College … (photos)

E-Journal:  See you in the USA

Diversity Visa Lottery system Now open

The Diversity Visa (DV) lottery system opened for applications on October 2, 2008.  Those considering entering the lottery should apply as early as possible.  In the past, extremely heavy demand in the final days of the registration period has resulted in some applicants being unable to register for the program.  No entries will be accepted after noon EST on December 1.

This year, for the first time, applicants will be able to check the status of their application via the e-DV website. In order to check their status, applicants must retain a copy of the confirmation page from their application process … (more)

Consul General Explains U.S. Electoral System

On September 30, Consul General John Desrocher spoke to a second year University of Auckland class studying the U.S. political system.  He explained many of the mechanisms involved in the Presidential Election, including the role of the Electoral College.

Ambassador McCormick visits O'kaioceanikart Gallery in Auckland

In September, Ambassador William McCormick visited the O'kaioceanikart Gallery in Auckland, where gallery directors Marilyn Kohlhase and Bridget Marsh introduced him to a number of exciting Pacific artists and their work… (photos)

Consul General Desrocher discusses the Great White Fleet's Auckland visit.

Centenary of Parliamentary Special to Meet U.S. Fleet

On Friday August 8, Consul General in Auckland John Desrocher spoke at an Ontrack reception celebrating 100 years since the first train link between Wellington and Auckland.

The commemorations included a re-running of the first Parliamentary Special which, in August of 1908, used the North Island Main Trunk Railway line three months before its official opening, to carry the Prime Minister and members of Parliament from Wellington to Auckland to meet the visiting U.S. Navy's Great White Fleet.

Katherine and Emily talk to students from Lead America.

Consulate Staff Speak to Visiting Students

On Friday August 1, U.S. Consular Officers Emily King and Katherine Greeley spoke to around 50 students visiting New Zealand from Lead America, a youth leadership organization which hosts summer conferences overseas for teenagers. Katherine and Emily spoke about the role of the Consulate General in Auckland and answered queries on life in the U.S. Foreign Service.

U.S. Consul Nick Greanias discusses the American electoral system.

U.S. Electoral System Explored

On Friday August 1, the U.S. Consul in Auckland, Nick Greanias, spoke to 50 members of the West Auckland Probus group on the origins of the U.S. primaries and presidential election system.  He explored and explained many of the intricacies and idiosyncrasies that the system has accumulated over the centuries since its inception.

Chris Heffelfinger discusses radical jihadist ideology.

Chris Heffelfinger:  The Ideology and Indoctrination of Jihad

On Friday July 18, visiting U.S. academic Chris Heffelfinger of the Combating Terrorism Center at the U.S. Military Academy in New York spoke to the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, Hamilton Branch at the University of Waikato on the subject of ‘The Ideology and Indoctrination of Jihad (radicalisation and Al-Qaeda-esque doctrine).’

Consul General Desrocher with NASA scientists.

Consul General Joins NASA at Robotics Boot Camp

On Saturday July 12, U.S. Consul General in Auckland John Desrocher joined NASA scientists Mark Leon and Katsutoshi Ishisoko at a robotics ‘boot camp’ in preparation for a nationwide New Zealand Robotics Competition in 2009.  The 2009 FIRST NZ Regional Competition will be based on the U.S. FIRST Robotics Championship, which has been running successfully for 20 years.  (FIRST stands for "For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology".) The event was organized by Massey University and Smales Farm Technology Office Park.

U.S., New Zealand to Negotiate Protocol to Income Tax Treaty

Washington, DC; May 1 -- The United States and New Zealand announced today that they plan to begin negotiation of a protocol to amend the bilateral income tax treaty, which entered into force in 1983. The first round of negotiations is expected to take place beginning June 16 in Washington, D.C.

The Treasury Department welcomes written comments from the public regarding the upcoming negotiations. Comments should be sent to John Harrington, International Tax Counsel, Room 3054 Main Treasury Building, 1500 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20220.

Comments also may be sent by fax to [1] (202) 622-0646, or by e-mail to John.Harrington@do.treas.gov.

Consul General John Desrocher speaks to  students about the U.S. electoral system

Consul General speaks to students at Auckland University

On April 22, Consul General John Desrocher spoke to undergraduate Politics students at the University of Auckland. About 100 second and third year students studying political parties, leaders, and elections heard John talk about the genesis of the U.S. Presidential election system, the primary election process, and the funding of U.S. elections.

Explaining U.S. policies to New Zealanders is one of the most important things we do; if you would like someone from the Consulate General to speak to your organization, please contact us.

Consul Nick Greanias at Howick Rotary.

U.S. Consul speaks to the Howick Rotary Club

On April 2, Nick Greanias, Chief of the Consular Section at the U.S. Consulate General, Auckland, spoke to members of the Howick Rotary Club on the history of the U.S. election process.  In a talk which ranged from the American Revolution to the Presidential primaries of 2008, Nick discussed the often complex history of America’s unique democratic process.

Dr. Rogers with students.

NASA Help with homework

NASA scientists visited Auckland’s Henderson Valley Primary School on February 15 to assist students with their science class weather observations. Scientists Matt Rogers and Peter Falcon are working on NASA’s CloudSat mission, a programme studying the properties of clouds using space-based cloud radar.

“The mission involves a global network of schools all sharing their observations with our team of scientists,” said Matt. “School children are trained to make accurate cloud and weather observations; they make these observations on days when the CloudSat satellite passes over their schools and then send in their data to our collection site in the US.” The data provided by schools is then checked against the satellite observations to gauge its accuracy. The NASA team has already visited schools in Dunedin and Gisborne during their trip to New Zealand, which is being coordinated by the Royal Society of New Zealand … (photos)