
New ambassadors for Japan and France have presented their credentials to the Governor-General, His Excellency the Rt Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, GNZM, QSO at Government House Vogel in Lower Hutt early today.
The New Zealand Army provided the Māori Ceremonial Challenge and the Guard of Honour at this morning’s ceremony.
Mr Hideto Mitamura is a career diplomat who, after entering Japan’s foreign service in 1971, has served in a number of offshore postings and senior positions in Japan – most recently completing a term as Japan’s Ambassador to Zambia. Mr Mitamura will be resident in Wellington.
The Ambassador of the French Republic, Mr Francis Etienne, will also be resident in Wellington. Mr Etienne has served both as a diplomat and as a senior public servant in France. He comes to New Zealand after several years as Director of France’s Immigration Department.