Centre for New Zealand Studies and New Zealand Studies Association closing

A Plea -

We are pleased to announce that Paul Burns is joining us in our public campaign to save the Centre and together we will represent the New Zealand community in the UK and abroad. For your information the current situation is as follows:

Ian Conrich has been given weeks to dismantle the Centre and all its resources (when the Centre moved to it’s new offices just two weeks ago its many rare and unique NZ documents, manuscripts and books needed 111 large size removal crates)

There are six PhD students at the Centre who are deeply troubled by the way that Birkbeck College has dealt with the situation and are concerned as to where their studies will go next
When the Centre ceases the NZSA and all related conferences and publications will cease
The closure of the Centre will have a devastating effect on New Zealand Studies worldwide
Many of us have received a letter from Belinda Brown, Deputy New Zealand High Commissioner.

In the light of the confirmation of the closure we feel that the letter is inaccurate as well as a stalling tactic. As a matter of urgency we need to continue public lobbying and to respond to the points in the letter from the NZ High Commission. If we do not lobby, the Centre with its precious resources will be gone within weeks.

Hence we would like you to write to as many of the following as possible - ideally all:

Professor David Latchman - E. master@bbk.ac.uk
Derek Leask and Belinda Brown at the NZ High Commission E. derek.leask@mfat.govt.nz
and belinda.brown@mfat.govt.nz
NZ Prime Minister John Key E. john.key@parliament.govt.nz
Your local NZ MPs - see the following http://www.parliament.nz/en-NZ/MPP/MPs/MPs/
Gordon Brown and Lord Mandelson

Paul Burns has all the email details for contacting MPs in New Zealand and his excellent letters in response to the NZ High Commission will be forwarded to you in a separate email. Please use these letters as a template as well as signing his online petition which can be reached via the following link: http://www.lobbyingforum.com/petition-detail.aspx?id=128 PLEASE invite as many New Zealand friends or friends of NZ as possible to sign the petition and to send a letter.

There are 30,000 NZers in London alone! For maximum impact there will be a further double-faceted approach:
We are requesting an urgent meeting with the New Zealand High Commissioner and would welcome your support.
We propose that a group meet the press outside New Zealand House - let us know if you are prepared to join us.
Many of you know just how successful the Centre for New Zealand Studies and the New Zealand Studies Association have been. In just 2.5 years the Centre has organised 114 events, 5 conferences and 3 festivals. Its achievements also include:
6 PhD students, an unusually large number especially for a new centre
23 Maori language students involved in 2 different classes over the past year
3 members of staff and 5 Fellows
2000 visitors and researchers who have been attracted to the Centre since it opened
7000 books and journals alone are held, a significant number of which are unique
Publication of an annual journal
Publication of 5 books

As requested by the NZ government the Centre has created a strong web presence http://www.bbk.ac.uk/cnzs. Visit the website and see information on the many visitors who have passed through the door, a taste of the resources available, a list of donors and NZ Society Fellows plus a 360 degree moving image of the Centre.

The New Zealand Studies Association http://www.nzsa.co.uk/ has 164 members and more than 600 associates.

For further information go to the recently created website for the Friends of the Centre for New Zealand Studies http://sites.google.com/site/nzfriendsorg/

We thank you for your crucial ongoing support and will keep you informed of progress.

Very best wishesPaul Burns, Mary Ensor and Maggie TaylorFriends of the Centre for New Zealand Studies