NZROK Friendship Society - meetings 2007-

The New Zealand Republic of Korea Friendship Society began in 2007. The co-chairpersons in the first year were Richard Lawrence and Charla Song (2007) and then Charla was followed by Ko Jung Mi (2008-present). Richard Lawrence had the original vision for an organization that would bring together Korean and non-Korean people in Kirikiriroa Hamilton.

The aims of the society are:

1. To promote friendship between Korean and non-Korean people in Aotearoa New Zealand

2. To promote understanding and appreciation of each other's cultures, languages and societies

Public meetings 2007 to the present by year, the most recent first

15 August, 2024, Meeting via Zoom. Guest speaker: Scott Granville of Chasing Time English

18 April 2024, Trust Waikato. Speakers: Michelle Bird and Sangsoo Woo on their recent trip to Korea; Richard Lawrence on 'What I have learned from Korean people'.

16 November 2023 via Zoom

Guest speaker: Mr Kim In-taek, ROK Consul-General to New Zealand, speaking on the highlights of his term in New Zealand so far.

20 July 2023, via Zoom

Guest speaker: Jin Yoon, 'Korean Migrants and Miscommunication Issues in New Zealand' - a report on ongoing research

First meeting in 2023, 23 March, at Trust Waikato. Guest speaker: Jinah Lee

Meeting on Zoom, with Janne Song, translating the principles of teTiriti o Waitangi into Korean, 18 October 2022

Meeting on Zoom, with 5 May, 2022 - The Meaning of the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties between South Korea and New Zealand, with ROK Ambassador to New Zealand, Mr Sangjun Lee

First meeting and only meeting in 2021, 18 March, with guests Edward Park (Wintec) and Dr Gaurav Singh.

First meeting in 2020, Thursday, 12 March, at the Waikato Trust rooms, 4 Little London Lane. Guest speaker: Ravinder Powar. Guests - Talents of the Pacific Academy.

Season's greetings from the planning group, end of year BBQ at the Waikato Korean Cultural Centre, 14 December 2019

Fourth meeting in 2019, Thursday, 14 November, at the Waikato Trust rooms, 4 Little London Lane. Guest speaker: Gill Lawrence, on Jeju Island.

Third meeting in 2019, 19 September at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel, University of Waikato. Guest speakers: Consul-General, ROK, in Auckland - Hong Bae Kwan & Jenny Nand, Acting Senior Advisor, NZ Dept. of Internal Affairs.

Second meeting in 2019, 28 June, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Guest speaker: Max Kwak, Vice President NUACNZ. There was an exhibition of photos from Roger Shepherd in the Link foyer.

First meeting in 2019, 11 April, at Waikato Trust buildings. Guest speakers: Sunjin Heo - Diversity Counselling & Seungkwon Yu - Intermittent fasting

Third meeting in 2018, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Second meeting in 2018, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church

First meeting in 2018, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Third meeting in 2017, tenth anniversary celebration, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Second meeting - Symposium - in 2017, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church

First meeting in 2017, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Fourth meeting in 2016, 17 November, at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel, University of Waikato

Third meeting in 2016, 22 September, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church.

Second meeting in 2016, 2 June, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church.

First meeting in 2016, 17 March, at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel, University of Waikato. Guest speaker: Tame Pokaia, Wintec kaumtua.

Third meeting in 2015, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church

Second meeting in 2015, at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel, University of Waikato

First meeting in 2015, at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel, University of Waikato

Fourth meeting in 2014, November, at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel, University of Waikato. Guest speakers: Kou Kunishige and Sunjin Heo (Diversity Counselling, NZ)

Third meeting in 2014, August, at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel, University of Waikato

Second meeting in 2014, May, at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel, University of Waikato

First meeting in 2014, March, at the Lady Goodfellow Chapel, University of Waikato

Third meeting in 2013, at Hamilton Boys' High School

Second meeting in 2013, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Guest speaker: Consul-General

First meeting in 2013, 13 February, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Guests: NZ Korean Education Centre, Auckland.

Third meeting in 2012, on 23 August, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Essay competition prize-giving

Second meeting in 2012, on 22 June, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Guest speakers: Fan Miao, NZ China Friendship Society & Inde Chandra, Partnerships Advisor of Waikato Institute of Technology.

First meeting in 2012, 22 March, at the Link, St Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Guest speaker: Roger Shepherd - Hiking and photography in DPRK, North Korea

Fourth meeting in 2011, at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Guest speaker: Hamilton mayor, Julie Hardaker

Third meeting in 2011, at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church. Guest speakers: making kimchi

Third meeting on 18 November, 2010, at St Paul's Collegiate School.

Second meeting in 2010, at St Paul's Collegiate School. Guest speaker: Melissa Lee, MP

First meeting in 2010, at St Paul's Collegiate School. Guest speaker from Vilagrads, on New Zealand wine and wine-making

Third meeting in 2009, at St Paul's Collegiate School. Guest speaker: from ROK Consul-General's staff, Auckland

Second meeting in 2009, at St Paul's Collegiate School. Guest speaker: First Korean policeman or policewoman in NZ.

Second meeting in 2008, at St Paul's Collegiate School. Guest speaker: Philip Yeung, HCC Ethnic Communities Advisor

First meeting in 2008 at St Paul's Collegiate School. Guest speaker: Dr Changzoo Song, University of Auckland

First ever meeting of the NZROK Friendship Society at ECN, Hamilton, 2007