On Saturday 27 February 2010 a magnitude 8.8 earthquake shook Chile, badly damaging the country and surrounding costal communities. After talks with emergency officials, Chile's president has announced that the estimated death toll reaches 708, with the potential to rise.  

A tsunami caused by the quake that swept across the Pacific killed several people on a Chilean island and devastated other coastal communities near the epicentre, but caused little damage in other countries. 

New Zealand was subject to a tsunami alert, which was cancelled as of 9am this morning. The National Crisis Management Centre stated that "Sea level data indicate the peak of activity has passed. There will be ongoing sea level fluctuations and tidal effects for the rest of the day throughout the country," and taking that into account, "People are advised to continue to take caution in coastal areas."

New Zealanders trying to track down loved ones in Chile face long waits for information, as the quake had interrupted communications to the area. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said this morning contact had been made with 140 New Zealanders in Chile to confirm they were safe.

The Ministry was continuing to work to contact about another 100 New Zealanders to check on their whereabouts and wellbeing, but this was being hampered by communications difficulties in Chile.

The United Nations Association of New Zealand extends condolences to all those affected by the Chile Earthquake. 

Tracking relatives:

* If concerned about a friend or relative in Chile, try to contact them.
* If this fails, call Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, 0800 432 111, or 64 4 439 8401 from overseas.

Travel advice:

* Ministry advises against tourist and non-essential travel to Chile.
* New Zealanders in Chile and those about to go there are urged to register on safetravel.govt.nz.

More information: 

*www.reliefweb.int

*www.alertnet.org

*Ban Ki Moon (United Nations Secretary General) Statement on Chile

 The United Nations Association of New Zealand's Facebook group page is now up and running.

It's a great way to catch up with other members, discuss initiatives and proposals from Special Officers, check out upcoming events, and share relevant photos and videos.  

Check it out!

 The United Nations Association of New Zealand's Twitter account is now up and running.

It's a great way to link up with other members, and get information on upcoming events and meetings.  

Check it out!

Press Statement

14/01/2010 - The United Nations Association of New Zealand (UNANZ) would like to express our deepest condolences to the Haitian people who are suffering greatly and trying to come to terms with the catastrophe. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

We would also like to extend our condolences to those grieving the loss of United Nations colleagues and family in Haiti. Because we are a part of the United Nations family, there is always a deep sense of tragedy when we hear of losses to our United Nations compatriots.

We would like to urge the New Zealand people and the New Zealand Government to contribute to the many relief appeals, to allow the much needed humanitarian efforts to begin in ernest.

Over the 7th to the 9th of May 2010 the United Nations Association of New Zealand will be holding it's yearly National Conference and Annual General Meeting.

This time around Wanganui Branch is hosting the conference, and has announced that the topic will be Peace with Justice: Combining Climate Change and Disarmament - particularly significant in the current political and ecological climate!

Rough plans include two main keynote speakers, a social dinner on Saturday (8 May), the final of the Speech Awards on Friday (7 May), the Annual General Meeting on Sunday (9 May), and lots of 'flavor of Wanganui' type events.

The venue will be at the Quaker Settlement, 76 Virginia Road, Wanganui.

The National Conference is open to all members of the public to attend - it would be great to see you there! More details will be available closer to the time. 

The next National Council Meeting for UNANZ will be held Sunday the 7th February 2010, in Christchurch.

The meeting is to be held in Presbyterian Support Services Board room, at 44 Bealey Ave.

Recommended accommodation:

Southern Comfort Motels
53 Bealey Ave
St Albans
Christchurch
Phone 0336 60383

Tudor Court Motels
57 Bealey Avenue
St Albans
Christchurch
Phone 03 379 1465

If you are planning to fly, I'd advise keeping a very close eye on Grab A Seat (Air NZ) because in the run up to Christmas they're offering some pretty amazing specials!

Governor General Sir Anand Satyanand has accepted the invitation to become one of the United Nations Association of New Zealand's Patrons for the duration of his term in New Zealand. The invitation was extended to him following 2009's May Annual General Meeting.

The Governor General has expressed eagerness to be involved in suporting future events and functions held by the Association, saying that he convey's his "best wishes for the success of the worthwhile work of your organisation".

Sir Anand Satyanand joins Rt Hon Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, as one of the Association's current Patrons.

UNANZ looks forward to working with Sir Anand Satyanand in the near future.

The United Nations Association of New Zealand is calling for submissions for the 2010 March edition of UNANZ News. The deadline for submissions is 22 February.

The UNANZ News is a quarterly newsletter which goes to all members, and affiliated organisations. It discusses current events in UNANZ, UNYANZ and the UN. If you would like to make comment on events happening within the UN then we would like to hear from you.

For a copy of the November 2009 newsletter, or to register you interest in contributing the the UNANZ News, please contact Shannon Steven, at the National Office: office@unanz.org.nz or (04) 496 9638

Rt Hon Helen Clark, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme, and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, has recently agreed to become a patron of the United Nations Association of New Zealand. 

Ms Clark, who was appointed Administrator of the UNDP in April this year,  accepted the invitation saying: "Over the years I have come to value the role of the United Nations Associations, both in New Zealand and abroad, as important champions of the United Nations Organization's mandate, agenda, and activities. Reaching out to national constituencies - particularly the youth - is more important than ever as we focus on the pressing challenge of reaching the Millennium Development Goals and combating climate change." 

UNANZ looks forward to working with Ms Clark in the months ahead. 

This video gives a great overview on the work of our organisation and our international body, The World Federation of United Nations Associations.

UNANZ has entered into correspondence with Hon. Murry McCully, New Zealand's Minister of Foreign Affairs, on the importance of the UN to New Zealand's international relations. The Minister replied, largely agreeing with UNANZ sentiments.

Another letter was sent on the recent controversy over New Zealand withdrawing from the Durban II Review Conference on Racism. Response has not yet been forthcoming.

For more information ...