First visit of the Tibetan Prime Minister to New Zealand

Tibetan Prime Minister Dr. Lobsang Sangay will visit New Zealand for the first time from 30th April to 5th May 2017. Dr. Sangay is the first democratically elected political leader after His Holiness the Dalai Lama stepped down from his political role in 2011. With a doctorate from Harvard Law School, he is now in his second term as Prime Minister of the Tibetan Government-in-Exile, based in India.

Chairman of Friends of Tibet (NZ) Thuten Kesang who is the co-ordinating Dr Sangay’s visit to New Zealand says,

“This is an important opportunity to hear first-hand what is happening in Tibet, including the sad news of self-immolations of two Tibetans in last two weeks in Tibet. A total of 147 Tibetans have self- immolated in Tibet since 2009. The world is not hearing the pleas from those Tibetans who have self- immolated for the cause of FREEDOM.”

The following programme has been arranged for Dr. Sangay in New Zealand:

30th April 2017 Arrival in Auckland from Brisbane at 2:20 pm flight QF 123

1st May 2017 Auckland Public Talk – “China – Tibetan Relations: Past Present & Future”

At Beach Haven Hall, 336 Rangatira Road, Beach Haven, Auckland at 7.00 pm.

2nd May 2017 Dunedin Public Talk -"Tibet in the 21st Century: Political, environmental

and cultural challenges"

National Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies. Otago University at 5:15 pm

3rd May 2017 Wellington Afternoon tea in Parliament hosted by Gareth Hughes (Green MP)

from 3:15 – 4:00 pm. All MPs have been invited to meet Dr Lobsang Sangay.

Public Talk - “Tibet in the 21st Century: Political, environmental and cultural challenges” Faculty of Law, Victoria University of Wellington

Old Government Buildings - Lecture Theatre 2, 55 Lambton Quay Wellington at 6:00 pm

5th May 2017 Depart Auckland

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