Latest posts
New Zealand wine in Canada: The story, like the wine, just keeps getting better
17th May 2012 by Andrew Needs, Ottawa
The remarkable story around the evolution of the New Zealand wine industry continues apace. Nowhere is this more evident than in Canada.
As little as ten years ago if you had asked Canadians what they associated with New Zealand you would have got a variation on kiwis (or kiwifruit as they are known in NZ, not
Cambodia as ASEAN Chair / Kamboja Sebagai Ketua ASEAN
16th May 2012 by David Taylor, Jakarta
Last year, the ASEAN chair was occupied by the regional Goliath, Indonesia. This year sees the first of three David’s take on the role. Cambodia holds the tiller in 2012, Brunei in 2013 and Myanmar in 2014.
Heading into this year, ASEAN watchers wondered whether these small countries could pull off regional leadership given the complexity
New Zealanders in Canada
3rd May 2012 by Andrew Needs, Ottawa
Since starting my blog I have invited a number of colleagues to make contributions to highlight the range of work undertaken by the wider team at the High Commission in Ottawa and by colleagues who work with us on New Zealand issues, but are based elsewhere i.e Vancouver, Toronto and Washington.
I have invited Taryn Neil,
ANZAC DAY 2012
25th April 2012 by Andrew Needs, Ottawa
It was my Australian colleague’s turn to take the primary hosting role for ANZAC Day here in Ottawa. This was Louise Hand’s first ANZAC Day in Canada and in the spirit of what the day means for both of our countries, she did us proud. It was a wonderful address, reflective of the history, the
Alberta: The “have” Province
16th April 2012 by Andrew Needs, Ottawa
Skifield at Canada Olympic Park and site of Skyline Enterprises luge
For my New Zealand readers this title may seem a little curious. It is a play on terminology used in Canada with regard to Federal Policy (i.e. determined by central government in Ottawa) whereby the wealthier, or “have” provinces, contribute fiscally to the “have not”
Summer in March – in Ottawa?
25th March 2012 by Andrew Needs, Ottawa
Climate Change as a result of global warming is having a range of impacts around the globe: more regular and high intensity weather events appear to be one. In the northern reaches of Canada and the Arctic and Antarctic more generally, the thinning of the polar ice is proceeding apace. I had my own slightly
Visit to Toronto
18th March 2012 by Andrew Needs, Ottawa
I was in Toronto for a day last week.
I started out with a breakfast presentation to the Toronto Chapter of KEA (Kiwi Expats Abroad). While I gave the group an overall outline of the work of the High Commission, my main focus was the collaborative effort of my office with our Consulate based in Vancouver
NZ’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy in Ottawa
28th February 2012 by Andrew Needs, Ottawa
Last week we were fortunate enough to have as a visitor to Ottawa, New Zealand’s Special Agricultural Trade Envoy, Alistair Polson.
Alistair is one of a number of farmers who have held the title and brings to it experience as an award-winning sheep and beef farmer, as well as a veteran industry representative and entrepreneur. I attended a
Visit to Jamaica
7th February 2012 by Andrew Needs, Ottawa
I am cross accredited to Jamaica, and as part of their diplomatic week I visited the capital Kingston for three days last week to meet Ministers in the newly elected government of Prime Minister Portia Simpson-Miller.
Early in the week the Prime Minister addressed both resident (stationed in Kingston) and non-resident Ambassadors. The Prime Minister outlined
Life, the Universe and Everything
24th January 2012 by Andrew Needs, Ottawa
Last week, together with the new Australian High Commissioner, Louise Hand, I called on Canada’s National Research Council (NRC) to discuss the joint Australia-New Zealand bid to host the Square Kilometre Array.
What on earth is that, you may ask?
For those of you, who, like me, aren’t scientists, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is the name
