Royden Smith
Royden’s fascination with China stems from his participation in a Teachers’ Tour of China back in 1977, when he was a Year One teacher at Nelson Central School, and he has been drawn back many times since. He has been a member of the Nelson Branch of NZCFS since 1993 and a member of the Nelson Branch Executive Committee since 2000 and its Treasurer since 2002. He has also been an editor and publisher of the Nelson Branch newsletter since 2001. Royden’s many trips to China include: – private trips to China 1977, 1997, 2008 and 2010, – a member of the Prominent Persons and Leaders Delegation in 2000, – Deputy Tour Leader of the NZCFS Silk Road Tour in 2002, – Tour Leader of the next NZCFS Silk Road Tour in 2005, – a member of the Rewi Alley Memorial Tour in 2007, and – Tour Leader of the NZCFS Discover China Tour in 2011. He was asked to become Acting National Treasurer of the NZCFS from 1 January, 2008 until the AGM in May, 2008 when he was elected National Treasurer – a post he held until May, 2012. He was also Acting Chair of the Tours Committee for several months in 2010/11. At the AGM in May, 2012 he was elected as South Island Vice President.
