US-NZ forum picks up where earthquake left off

US NZ Council chairman and former Prime Minister Jim Bolger. Photo / Paul Estcourt

The US NZ Partnership Forum that was cut short in Christchurch in February because of the earthquake reconvened today for a small final session via video-conferencing between Auckland and Washington.

US NZ Council chairman and former Prime Minister Jim Bolger led the New Zealand contingent, and the two groups of about 35 participants began with a minute's silence to mark the quake victims.

Delegates reported back on some of the themes from the February forum, including climate change, sustainable food production, trade and investment and security co-operation - though discussions were confidential.

Today's discussion in Washington was led by US NZ Council president John Mullen and former US Trade Representative Susan Schwab who co-chaired the Christchurch forum.

Mr Bolger said today the Christchurch forum showed "the power of gathering small, high-level delegations to exchange views, network and bond."

"Although the aftermath of the earthquake became the ultimate bonding experience, the delegates uniformly praised the opportunities for more detailed discussion."

Assistant secretary of State for Asia Pacific Kurt Campbell was among the Government officials, politicians, academics and business leaders who participated in February.

The forum was in its second day and delegates had been lunching at various locations throughout Christchurch on February 22 when the earthquake struck.

None were badly injured. Many made their way back to the forum venue, the AMI stadium, by foot before being evacuated out of the city by the Air Force.

He said that participation by a younger group of 21 "future leaders" from the US and New Zealand had introduced a generational shift at the forum and would be part of future meetings. Four of them took part in today's discussions.

Mr Bolger acknowledged the role that many of the US delegates were playing in the US response to the earthquake. A group called American Friends of Christchurch has raised about $700,000 including some from a black tie dinner last week at the New Zealand embassy in Washington.

The Christchurch forum was the fourth, the first having been held in 2006. The next one will be in Washington, date unknown, but not until 2013 at the earliest - after the 2012 presidential election.