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COMMUNICATIONS
USA EDITION
Issue 1 - March 2016
A GREAT VISION
A GRAND EVENING
A LEGACY FOR THE FUTURE
University of Canterbury
Foundation in America, Inc.
UCFA
An extraordinary evening unfolded in San Francisco in the famed Julia Morgan Ballroom
of the Merchants Exchange Club on October 7, 2015. Hosts Dr David and Leigh Teece
brought New Zealand to San Francisco and San Francisco to New Zealand as a prelude to
new Pacific friendships and partnerships. The ballroom was filled to capacity with over
300 by-invitation-only guests who experienced authentic Maori dancers, internationally
recognized opera singer Hadleigh Adams, and spectacular chef-inspired creations.
Following the multi-course dinner, an impressive panel of invited intellectuals discussed:
• The Trans-Pacific Partnership, which could transform New Zealand into a free trade
launching pad for the Pacific Basin.
• The New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement, a powerful engine for engagement
since 2008.
• Science and technology-based development, combining to create trade opportunities
in a land where the quality of life is second to none.
• Christchurch and UC's post-earthquake renovation, which is by far one of the largest
and most aggressive urban-renewal projects ongoing in the world today.
• The visual and performing arts in New Zealand, gaining acclaim throughout the
Pacific and beyond.
Dr David Teece
Dr David Teece
Guest Panel Participants
UCFA President / Chairman and Principal Executive Officer of BRG
Leon Grice
New Zealand Consulate General in Los Angeles
Claudia Batten
Regional Director New Zealand Trade & Enterprise
Dr Rod Carr
UCFA Board Member / University of Canterbury Vice Chancellor
Brian Monahan and Matthew Monahan
Co-Founders of Matrix Partners
Roy Ferguson
Former New Zealand Ambassador to the United States
Phil Veal
UCFA Board Member / Executive Officer at Rangatira Investments
Carl Worker
Former New Zealand Ambassador to China
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Page 2
Issue 1 - March 2016
University of Canterbury
Foundation in America, Inc.
In
addition to the exceptional
generosity of Dr David and Leigh
Teece, the UCFA was very supportive
as well as keenly interested in
promoting awareness of the US$1.5
million fundraising goal as it relates
to the Chemistry Building Campaign
referred to as “Old Chem”.
The "Old Chem" building is
located in what will eventually
be the center of the UC town
campus in Christchurch.
A vision for the UCFA event was adapted to not only support the fundraising goals
for UC, but to create an evening which would build lasting friendships and encourage
personal visits to Christchurch and other beautiful destinations in the region. The event
raised nearly US$100,000 for the "Old Chem" Campaign. In addition to a grand evening,
each guest left with a visually stunning collector book about New
Zealand, as well as award-winning Mount Beautiful pinot noir and
sauvignon blanc wines.
Beyond
the generosity of those hosting, and those attending
this event, opportunities for strengthening relationships between
the United States and New Zealand were highlighted to promote
greater trade and investment overall. A “50/50” Vision - 50 friends
for 50 years - was also launched as a potential endowment to enable
future exchange students to study at UC.
Leigh Teece
If you are interested in supporting UCFA or the "Old Chem" Campaign, please contact
UCFA liaison Byron Russell.
USA 801-556-1607
V032216BRLLCUC
byron@byron-russell.com
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Issue 1 - March 2016
University of Canterbury
Foundation in America, Inc.
“The vision of congested cities, pollution and lost time was the inspiration to create a unique and
compact personal transport solution.”
This is the vision of YikeBike, a Christchurch company demonstrating New Zealand as
an internationally recognized High Technology/Green Energy hub.
A YikeBike was generously donated and carried to the US, beginning its maiden voyage
on the streets of San Francisco. The YikeBike then made its way to multiple UC Alumni
events in Seattle, Vancouver, New Hampshire, Google New York in New York City, and
Google in Houston. Some brave UC Alums actually took the
bike for a spin on more than one occasion, experiencing for just
a moment, as YikeBike would promise, "a personal transportation
device that is reasonably safe, maneuverable for congested cities, and
incredibly easy to pack and fold."
YikeBike's donation to the auction, and their ongoing support for UCFA, are both greatly
appreciated. NZ +64(3) 377-2850
The Exclusive Travel Group, a luxury travel company
focused on creating bespoke itineraries for travelers
to New Zealand, continues to explore a potential
partnership with UC to help raise funds for "Old Chem". The collectors book graciously
provided to each guest at the UCFA event captures all that is exotic about New Zealand
and the South Pacific.
On behalf of the UCFA, an enormous
THANK YOU to Air New Zealand, a
corporation which has practiced a rich
history of charity since 1940, and has a
long standing relationship with UC. Their
support to UC broadly, as well as to the
"Old Chem" Campaign specifically, have
proven invaluable. They were in fact the
first corporate foundation to contribute
to the UCFA event, donating multiple
airfares for auction, raising US$9,000.
heartfelt THANK YOU is sincerely
expressed to all those individuals and
corporations who attended, donated or
otherwise supported the UCFA event.
UCFA welcomes your continued interest,
engagement and support.
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Dr David Teece, President
Brian Service, Vice President
Craig Hillier, Treasurer
Michael Aldridge
Dr Rod Carr
Dr Fiona Ciaran
Jonny Lindroos
Dr Gary Starling
Michael Carr-Smith
Phil Veal