A highlight for Kea North America this quarter was New Zealand Prime Minister John Key's visit to New York.

The North American Kea board and members were honoured that the first address to be made in the USA by John Key was made at a Kea lunch on 26 September. A number of members of the World Class New Zealand Network also converged in New York to attend this event, with the opportunity to meet, listen to, and ask questions of the New Zealand Prime Minister.

At the Kea Lunch, the PM talked about the economy and how the recession in NZ had not been as bad as that experienced in the USA. He also spoke about climate change and NZ's commitment to reducing the country's carbon footprint. View pictures here.

He also announced the Kea Educational Initiative before taking questions. The lunch was a great event that could not have happened with the help of Kea North America Chairman Ian Phillips, and local Kea members Graeme Lindsay and Nancy Hart.

The World Class New Zealand event was held later that evening at Time Warner. The event was hosted by Mr. Mark D'Arcy and attended by the Prime Minister who was welcomed by Time Warner Chairman and CEO Mr. Jeff Bewkes.