The International Amateur Radio Union (IARU) was formed in 1925 and is made up of national Amateur Radio societies throughout the world. The IARU International Secretariat (IS) is provided by one of its members, the American Radio Relay League (ARRL), which also provides the President of IARU.

Member societies in three world Regions have combined in organisations to extend and to assist the IARU objectives. NZART belongs to IARU Region 3 with present headquarters in Tokyo, Japan.

Like some other international organizations, IARU enjoys recognition by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) and may attend ITU conferences, with observer status. This is of tremendous importance for amateur radio interests as it provides the opportunity to contribute to, and even indirectly influence, what might be done by the official government members of ITU conferences. IARU Headquarters, supported from the regions, has taken advantage of these chances with good effect, and preparatory work is done before all World Radio Conferences.

There are four ways for NZART to play its part in this field:

• To foster the goodwill of the New Zealand Administration, the Ministry of Economic Development MED, and to maintain responsible official representation as we have done in the past. (Liaison by the NZART Administration Liaison Officer has this objective),
• To ensure that the New Zealand Delegation at ITU conferences is fully informed on amateur radio desires and needs. (Liaison by the NZART Administration Liaison Officer has this objective too),
• To collaborate with the societies of other countries in their efforts to have the right thing done by their Administrations. (IARU Region 3 also works towards this same purpose), and
• To assist IARU Headquarters in any way.

The NZART Overseas Liaison Officer represents NZART in these activities.