PRESIDENT’S REPORT
TO THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
AUGUST 20, 2005

Ladies and Gentlemen, Members of Council:

I am delighted to present my annual report today. At the outset, I wish to tender my apologies for my inability to attend this meeting.

It has been an eventful year for our Council as far as functioning as a lobby group is concerned. Being an umbrella organisation, not involved in service provision, it has been an uphill task to build our membership strength. Every effort must be made by the incoming committee to have this issue addressed.

We have established a sound operational plan and it is a ripe moment to enhance this notion. At this juncture, I must thank the present Treasurer and former Secretary, David Ryken, whose untiring work has seen the Council grow from strength to strength.

We have established a website and our computer has been updated. We have with us an arduous worker in Roger Brookes, our Administration Officer who keeps the committee on its toes and has built up a strong and representative network.

I must also thank Deborah Manning for her input into the Border legal issues and updating them.

We also met a delegation from Japan that was involved in planning their refugee resettlement programme and was keen to learn of the issues faced by New Zealand as a resettlement country.

The Burmese opposition party representatives also met us and discussed their issues and requested our involvement in rallying international support for assist issues faced by Burmese citizens in Burma.

We were represented at the tripartite forums held in Hamilton and Wellington. The first Asylum forum was held in Auckland and I must thank Heval Hylan and David Ryken for the papers they presented on important topics, which focused on benefit entitlements and family reunification. We are in the process of planning our second forum - the details of which will be circulated shortly.

Our meetings with senior officials of the Immigration Service have been very productive and have built a good environment for regular discussions and ongoing dialogue on refugee issues. My sincere gratitude goes to the NZIS officials who participate at these meetings.

In conclusion, I extend my wishes of appreciation to all members on the Executive whose input has been invaluable.

Thank you

Dr N Rasalingam
President