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2008 February: U.S. Trade Representative Susan C. Schwab announced February 4, 2008 that the United States will join negotiations on investment and financial services with the Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership, also known as the "P-4" group, which includes: Singapore, Chile, New Zealand and Brunei. The USTR's press release can be found here. The United States - New Zealand Council applauds the announcement. Council President John Mullen called it a "positive development" and "a logical first step for the United States" as it carries out the 'detailed exploratory process to determine whether it should participate in the full Trans Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership' mentioned in the USTR press release. The United States - New Zealand Council's press release can be found here. A number of U.S. organizations support the negotiations including, but not limited to: the United States Chamber of Commerce, National Association of Manufacturers, National Foreign Trade Council, Emergency Committee for American Trade and Coalition of Service Industries. (Click on the organization's name to view their press release.) 2007 September: The second United States New Zealand Partnership Forum was held in Auckland on 9, 10 and 11 September 2007. The Partnership Forum was an invitation only event that brought together leaders from American and New Zealand governments, businesses and academic communities to discuss how the economic, political and personal ties between the two countries can be strengthened and developed to meet the commercial, security, energy and environmental challenges of the Asia-Pacific region and today's global economy. Under the banner of "Partnership and Innovation" the Forum focused on the potential for the United States and New Zealand to cooperate on matters of regional security and stability, economic development and sustainability in the Asia Pacific region. For more information, news articles, lists of delegates, speeches, etc. please visit our Partnership Forum page. July: New Zealand MPs, Gerry Brownlee and Shane Jones, chairman and deputy chairman of the New Zealand United States Parliamentary Friendship Group respectively, came to the Washington for a series of meetings, including calls on their counterparts, co-chairs of the Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus, Representatives Ellen Tauscher and Kevin Brady amongst others. They were accompanied by NZUS Council Executive Director Stephen Jacobi who stayed on in Washington to further plan for the upcoming Partnership Forum. June: In the Council�s continuing series of luncheon roundtables, New Zealand Leader of the Opposition, John Key addressed members and friends of the Council at Van Scoyoc Associates on June 28, 2007. Mr. Key discussed the current political environment in New Zealand and engaged guests in a lively question and answer session following lunch. May: The Council was pleased to co-host a luncheon roundtable with the US Chamber of Commerce for Trade and Defense Minister Phil Goff on May 9, 2007. The luncheon address highlighted New Zealand�s perspective on developments of the WTO�s Doha round of trade talks. The Council also held its Annual General Meeting on May 22, 2007. Beyond normal reporting to the board the meeting covered planning for the upcoming Partnership Forum. March: The Council hosted a reception for visiting NZ Prime Minister Helen Clark on the Roof Terrace of the Hay-Adams Hotel in Washington. A large turnout of friends and admirers of New Zealand enjoyed the early spring evening, outstanding hors d�oeuvres and wine, and meeting the Prime Minister in a spectacular setting with clear views of the White House and beyond to the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial and down the Potomac. Following Council President John Mullen�s introduction, the Prime Minister made remarks to the guests and then presented to former Council President Fred Benson his award as an Honorary Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his services in furtherance of NZ-US relations. See http://www.dpmc.govt.nz/honours/lists/list.asp?id=38 Following the reception, the Prime Minister�s official party, the two Ambassadors, and a small number of US Government officials, Members of Congress, corporate sponsors and Council officials gathering in a Hay-Adams private dining room for a dinner hosted by the Council. Both events were sponsored by Council members Boeing, Pernod Ricard, and Time Warner. The Council�s reception and dinner were the only evening events in Washington for the Prime Minister. Following meetings the next day with President Bush, Secretaries Gates and Rice, US Trade Representative Schwab, and Speaker Pelosi, among others, the Prime Minister went on to Chicago and Seattle before returning to New Zealand. February: Council Board Member Peter Watson received the Smithsonian Institution�s Woodrow Wilson Center�s Award for Public Service at a gala dinner in Auckland in early February.http://www.wilsoncenter.org/index.cfm/events/docs/about/index.cfmfuseaction=news.item&newsid=224334 Later in February, Peter was recognized at another Auckland dinner, receiving a Distinguished Alumni Award from Auckland University. http://alumni.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/for/alumni/news/archive/2006/october/daa_announced.cfm
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