Introduction
Friendship and mutual understanding among cultures are key objectives of the New Zealand Republic of Korea Friendship Society (NZROK) which holds public meetings in Hamilton four times a year. These meetings, which are held at St Pauls Collegiate, often include exciting presentations, Korean langauge learning, games and sharing of culture and knowledge about Korea and New Zealand.
The speaker programme in recent years has consisted of a diverse array of presentations which appeal to both Kiwi and Koreans alike including: the experiences of a new local Korean NZ Police officer in Hamilton, information on settlement stages and challenges in New Zealand, Research into the Mental Health of Korean students in New Zealand, An introduction to the fledgling Korean Television industry in NZ, and a wine-tasting experience from a local Waikato Vineyard to name but a few.
A Korean interpreter supports all public meetings which are open to everyone. For more information on the next meeting date and time please contact Richard Lawrence at: rich001@xtra.co.nz .
The speaker programme in recent years has consisted of a diverse array of presentations which appeal to both Kiwi and Koreans alike including: the experiences of a new local Korean NZ Police officer in Hamilton, information on settlement stages and challenges in New Zealand, Research into the Mental Health of Korean students in New Zealand, An introduction to the fledgling Korean Television industry in NZ, and a wine-tasting experience from a local Waikato Vineyard to name but a few.
A Korean interpreter supports all public meetings which are open to everyone. For more information on the next meeting date and time please contact Richard Lawrence at: rich001@xtra.co.nz .
Vision
The Rose of Sharon
NZROK Friendship Society aims to foster mutual understanding of cultures, languages and societies between the peoples of New Zealand and South Korea as well as friendship between our two countries.
In the future we hope to become a powerful force uniting the New Zealand and Korean peoples in cultural exchanges and understanding so that together we can enhance eachothers' lives and communities. We have so much to learn from one another that the work of NZROK is truly only beginning.
We have chosen as our sumbols the Rose of Sharon and the Maori Koru. The Rose of Sharon is the official flower of the Republic of South Korea and it's name in Korean is mugunghwa (Korean Hangul: 무궁화, Hanja: 無窮花) meaning 'immortal flower'. The Maori Koru is a spiral shape based on the shape of a new unfurling silver fern frond and symbolizing new life, growth, strength and peace.
In the future we hope to become a powerful force uniting the New Zealand and Korean peoples in cultural exchanges and understanding so that together we can enhance eachothers' lives and communities. We have so much to learn from one another that the work of NZROK is truly only beginning.
We have chosen as our sumbols the Rose of Sharon and the Maori Koru. The Rose of Sharon is the official flower of the Republic of South Korea and it's name in Korean is mugunghwa (Korean Hangul: 무궁화, Hanja: 無窮花) meaning 'immortal flower'. The Maori Koru is a spiral shape based on the shape of a new unfurling silver fern frond and symbolizing new life, growth, strength and peace.
History
2007
- NZROK Founded in Hamilton
- Two public meetings
2008
- Three public Meetings
2009
- Four Public Meetings
- Inaugural Essay Competition Held
2010
- Second Public Meeting to include Korean MP Melissa Lee as Guest Speaker
- Second annual NZROK English Essay Competition held in June - August 2010
- NZROK Founded in Hamilton
- Two public meetings
2008
- Three public Meetings
2009
- Four Public Meetings
- Inaugural Essay Competition Held
2010
- Second Public Meeting to include Korean MP Melissa Lee as Guest Speaker
- Second annual NZROK English Essay Competition held in June - August 2010
Key People
Richard Lawrence
Co-President
Richard is a founding member of NZROK Friendship Society and has had a long-standing relationship with Korea and Korean people. He has travelled to South Korea and North Korea and currently teaches English at WINTEC College in Hamilton, New Zealand. Prior to becoming an English teacher Richard was a Presbyterian Minister in Hamilton for more than 18 years. He is Married to Gill and has two adult children. Contact
Co-President
Richard is a founding member of NZROK Friendship Society and has had a long-standing relationship with Korea and Korean people. He has travelled to South Korea and North Korea and currently teaches English at WINTEC College in Hamilton, New Zealand. Prior to becoming an English teacher Richard was a Presbyterian Minister in Hamilton for more than 18 years. He is Married to Gill and has two adult children. Contact
Ko Jung Mi
Co-President
Jung Mi is also a founding member of NZROK Friendship Society. She has lived in Hamilton New Zealand for more than 15 years, during which time she has made an immense contribution to the local and national Korean communities. She is currently employed as an Early Childhood teacher and is also the Principal of Waikato Korean School, a position she has held for more than 10 years. Jung Mi regularly travels to South Korea for conferences and research and she is also a member of the Korean Peaceful Reunification Council of New Zealand. Jung Mi is Married and has two adult children, both currently attending Otago University in Dunedin New Zealand. Her second eldest Son Seung Kwon has been selected to meet Korean President Lee Myung Bak in July 2010 at a ceremony for the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. Contact
Co-President
Jung Mi is also a founding member of NZROK Friendship Society. She has lived in Hamilton New Zealand for more than 15 years, during which time she has made an immense contribution to the local and national Korean communities. She is currently employed as an Early Childhood teacher and is also the Principal of Waikato Korean School, a position she has held for more than 10 years. Jung Mi regularly travels to South Korea for conferences and research and she is also a member of the Korean Peaceful Reunification Council of New Zealand. Jung Mi is Married and has two adult children, both currently attending Otago University in Dunedin New Zealand. Her second eldest Son Seung Kwon has been selected to meet Korean President Lee Myung Bak in July 2010 at a ceremony for the 60th anniversary of the Korean War. Contact
Financial Information
NZROK Friendship Society is a non-profit society funded by donations from members and the public. Despite having limited funding we have already been able to make a positive impact in our community and in New Zealand.
Donations
If you would like to donate financially to NZROK please do so by depositing money into our bank account at:
Account name: NZROK FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY
Account number: 38 - 9006 -0541028 - 00
Donations
If you would like to donate financially to NZROK please do so by depositing money into our bank account at:
Account name: NZROK FRIENDSHIP SOCIETY
Account number: 38 - 9006 -0541028 - 00
