American Reference Center - Wellington, NZ

The American Reference Center (ARC) provides research and reference services for Samoan and New Zealand institutions and professionals on various aspects of United States policy: international relations, especially New Zealand-U.S. economic and security relations, the environment, U.S. society, values and politics, and global issues.

The ARC maintains a collection of interdisciplinary reference books, government publications, and think tank reports. The ARC has 35 U.S. magazines, along with access to thousands of journal articles - available via online databases.

The electronic information resources at the ARC include the Internet and online databases such as: Factiva, GaleNet, GPO Access, Lexis-Nexis, ProQuest Direct (PQD), and STAT-USA, Encyclopedia Britannica, Federal News Service, EBSCOhost, and Treaties and International Agreements Research (TIARA).

Areas in which we can be of assistance to you typically include:

• A speech or statement by the U.S. President, Secretary of State or other Cabinet Member
• The U.S. position on current hot topics
• Reports from U.S. think tanks and research institutes, etc.
• Information on bilateral U.S.-New Zealand relations
• U.S. legislation and regulations
• U.S. trade statistics and economic indicators
• Recent articles from American newspapers, journals and other periodicals
• Biographical information about American government, political, cultural or business leaders
• Treaties between New Zealand and the United States
• Websites for official U.S. government policy

Researchers, government offices, members of the New Zealand Parliament and their staffers, journalists, university faculty and libraries are all regular users. Queries are accepted by email , fax, telephone or in person (by appointment) during our office hours of 9.00 - 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

If you do not find what you are looking for on this web site, please send us your information request via email  or contact the ARC by phone or mail (see contact information box).

• Talk to the Diplomats:
  If your students are interested in finding out more about the United States and talking to Americans, we can arrange for talks with U.S. diplomats stationed in Wellington and Auckland. Besides being diplomatic officials, our officers all have their own subject specialties and are willing to share them with local students. Please don't hesitate to let us know if you would like to organize a talking session for your students.
• Newsletter:
  The ARC issues a monthly newsletter called SPOTLIGHT which includes article abstracts on International Relations, Environment, Democracy, Economic, National Security, Global, Social and Cultural issues.

The Embassy observes New Zealand and American public holidays.

We regret we are unable to respond to questions on Consular matters by email.  Please direct your enquiries to the Consular section on this site.

For any ARC information contact the ARC in New Zealand:

P.O. Box 1190,
Wellington,
New Zealand

Tel.: +64 4 462 6122
Fax: +64 4 499 0490
Email: wellington.arc@state.gov