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News and Features

President Obama and Ambassador Rt. Hon Mike Moore in the Oval office, 10 August 2010

Ambassador Mike Moore presents credentials to US President Barack Obama

Newly appointed New Zealand Ambassador to the United States Rt Hon Mike Moore presented his credentials to US President Barack Obama on 10 August 2010.

Signing of the SPRFMO Convention in Wellington on 26 July.

Foreign Affairs & Trade makes new senior appointment

Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade CEO John Allen has announced the appointment of Gerard van Bohemen to the position of Deputy Secretary – Multilateral and Legal Group.

MFAT logo design

Envoys for Switzerland, Zimbabwe and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia will present credentials to the Governor-General, Sir Anand Satyanand, at Government House Vogel in Lower Hutt tomorrow (Thursday, 5 August 2010).

MFAT logo design

MFAT makes classified files public

Nearly 600 previously restricted files are now available as a result of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade’s annual release of classified information.

Signing of the SPRFMO Convention in Wellington on 26 July.

European Union signs high seas fishery resource convention

The European Union is the latest signatory to a key regional fisheries management convention which, once it enters into force, will ensure fishing from western Australia to South America is subject to agreed international rules.

China's Vice President Xi Jinping speaking at a dinner function with NZ Prime Minister John Key.

China's Vice President visits

The Vice President of China Xi Jinping visited New Zealand between June 17-19, 2010.

The knotted gun disarmament sculpture outside the United Nations in New York City. It was created by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd. (Photo credit: Wholtone, Wikimedia commons).

Postcard from New York

Read the online diary of a non-governmental advisor on the NZ delegation at the 2010 Nuclear Non Proliferation Treaty Review Conference.

New Zealand-France Friendship Scholarships

New Zealand-France Friendship Scholarships

Auckland architecture student Rowan Fraser has been awarded the inaugural excellence scholarship by the France-New Zealand Friendship Fund.

MFAT logo design

Russia and New Zealand announce commencement of new preparatory process towards a free trade agreement

Russian Minister Elvira Nabiullina and NZ Minister Tim Groser have agreed that New Zealand and Russia, joined by Belarus and Kazakhstan, will commence a preparatory process towards a Free Trade Agreement.

Te Tini a Maui group pictured with the Argentine tango dancers and actor, and Two Paddocks winery owner, Sam Neill at the Vancouver playhouse Wine Festival.

Maori and Argentinian cultures share centre stage at Vancouver

A kapa haka group performing with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) made a memorable impact at the Vancouver Playhouse International Wine Festival held in April.

Logo of the Global Research Alliance meeting

Global Research Alliance meeting

International Climate Change Negotiations Minister Tim Groser and Agriculture Minister David Carter hosted the inaugural meeting of the Global Research Alliance in Wellington from April 7 to April 9.

MFAT logo design

Fashion labels reinforce image of creative excellence

New Zealand is being represented at this year’s L’Oréal Melbourne Fashion Festival (LMFF) by three labels – Karen Walker and Zambezi from Auckland and Nom*D from Dunedin.

New Zealand's Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, Georgina te Heuheu, signing the Cartagena Declaration on behalf of the New Zealand Government, in Colombia.

New Zealand recommits to mine-free world

New Zealand's Minister for Disarmament and Arms Control, Minister Georgina te Heuheu, attended the ‘Ten Year Review’ of the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty in Cartagena, Colombia in early December 2009.

Antarctica.

NZ celebrates 50 years of international cooperation under the Antarctic Treaty

This week New Zealand and the 46 other Parties to the Antarctic Treaty celebrate its 50th anniversary. The Treaty is a unique model for international cooperation that ensures Antarctica is used only for peaceful purposes.

New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully with Russian Ambassador Andrey Tatarinov.

Celebrating 65 years of NZ - Russian Federation diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the Russian Federation

A recital of Russian songs and a ministerial reception was held in honour of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the Russian Federation on 4 November in Wellington.

Commonwealth flag

Commonwealth Conversation – Summary of Wellington event

The Commonwealth’s future shape and mission came under scrutiny during a wide-ranging public forum recently held in Wellington as part of the global Commonwealth Conversation.

SPRFMO logo. Photo: Kim Westerskov

South Pacific Fisheries Regional Management Organisation Negotiations, 8 - 14 November

New Zealand is hosting the 8th, and possibly final, round of negotiations to establish a regional fisheries management organisation to manage the South Pacific's non-tuna like species.

Tokelau and New Zealand flags flying outside the NZ Parliament

Tokelau’s new flag flown at Parliament

Tokelau's first official flag has flown outside New Zealand's Parliament for the first time.  The parliament ceremony was one of a number of events coordinated in Tokelau and among the Tokelauan community in New Zealand to mark the launch of the new flag.

Jennifer Macmillan presides over the International Atomic Energy Agency's annual conference in September 2009

New Zealander presides over the International Atomic Energy Agency's annual General Conference

The International Atomic Energy Agency’s annual General Conference, which took place on 14-18 September 2009 at the Agency’s headquarters in Vienna, was presided over by New Zealand’s Ambassador to the IAEA, Jennifer Macmillan. 

Logo of the NZ-China Free trade agreement website

New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement anniversary

Trade between New Zealand and China has been steadily increasing since the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entered into force a year ago. 

United Nations Logo

NZ and the UN General Assembly

New Zealand reconfirmed its commitment to the United Nations at the 64th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held in New York.

Menton literary week.

Governor General presents Tokelau's first flag to its leaders

Tokelau received its first official flag from the Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, at Government House on 7 September.

Menton literary week.

New Zealand celebrates literary links with Menton

Locals and visitors to Menton in the south of France enjoyed a week of literary and culinary events from 21-26 September thanks to collaboration between the New Zealand Embassy in Paris and the town where Katherine Mansfield resided in 1920-21.

Minister Judith Collins

Ceremony to remember start of WWII

Veterans Affairs Minister Judith Collins signs the visitors book after laying a wreath at Warsaw’s Tomb of the Unknown Warrior during her bilateral visit to Poland.

Mr Carlos de Freitas

Visit by Brazilian economist

Mr Carlos de Freitas, a former director of the Brazilian Central Bank and now a prominent economic commentator, is in New Zealand to foster better understanding of the size, strengths and influence of the Brazilian economy.

MFAT logo design

Call for Public Submissions on the Thailand - New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership Agreement

August 2009 - The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is inviting submissions on possible negotiations on services and government procurement under the Thailand - New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership Agreement.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key

Prime Minister's visit to Australia

Prime Minister Key has completed a successful official visit to Australia. During the visit the Prime Minister visited Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney, and undertook a wide range of engagements with Australia politicians, media and companies, and in support of New Zealand companies and industries succeeding in the Australian market. 

View over Machu Picchu. Photo credit: Rudyard Alfaro

New Working Holiday Scheme comes into effect with Peru

Up to 100 New Zealanders aged between 18 and 30 will be able to visit Peru for one year to work, holiday or study under a new reciprocal working holiday scheme that takes effect on 1 August.

New Zealand Prime Minister Hon John Key and Tonga's Prime Minister Hon Dr Feleti Sevele at a joint media conference following their bi-lateral meeting in Nuku'alofa

Prime Minister's visit to the Pacific

July 2009 - Prime Minister John Key has completed a relationship-building Pacific tour, which included visits to Tonga, Samoa, Niue and the Cook Islands.

Woman and children in Papua New Guinea. Photo credit: Steve Nowakowski

UN Human Rights Council Resolution on Preventable Maternal Mortality and Morbidity and Human Rights

June 2009 - The UN Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on preventable maternal mortality and morbidity and human rights. New Zealand worked in partnership with Colombia to lead the negotiations.

US Navy Iroquois pilot Lieutenant Commander William (Woo) Ferrell (left, red tie) holds his medal, with the New Zealand Ambassador Roy Ferguson (right)

US citizens presented with NZ Special Service Medal

June 2009 - New Zealand's Ambassador to the United States Roy Ferguson and the Vice Chief of Defence Force Rear Admiral Jack Steer presented the New Zealand Special Service Medal (Erebus) to 13 United States Citizens in Washington on 4 June.

Defence Minister Wayne Mapp (left) with Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao (right) at the formal opening of the new NZ Embassy building in Dili

New Embassy building in Timor-Leste

May 2009 - New Zealand's new Embassy building in Dili, Timor-Leste, was formally opened on 14 May. 

Second Secretary Mary Thurston, NZHC Honiara, conducting election observation at Gold Ridge polling station, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, 6 May 2009

Election observance overseas

New Zealand missions overseas often have the opportunity to participate as accredited electoral observers in their host countries.

WTO logo

WTO Essay award

The WTO Secretariat has launched an annual WTO Essay Award for Young Economists. The Award consists of a prize of 5,000 Swiss Francs to the author(s) of the winning essay.

ANZAC Poppies. Photo courtesy of New Zealand Defence Force

Anzac Day commemorated around the world

Anzac Day commemorations will be held around the world on 25 April, and many New Zealand Embassies and High Commissions have organised dawn services with our Australian counterparts for New Zealanders and Australians who are based overseas.

MFAT logo design

New Zealand Human Rights report

May 2009 - Following public feedback, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Justice and the Attorney-General have approved the revised report that examines NZ's human rights record.

Boer War Memorial

The re-dedication of a memorial to 23 New Zealand soldiers killed in February 1902 during the Anglo-Boer war was held recently.

Aztec Calender

Visit of Latin America Heads of Mission

One of the important roles of New Zealand's Ambassadors overseas is to look at how to maximise opportunities for New Zealanders doing business in other countries.

MFAT logo design

Visit of Dutch Foreign Minister

January 2009 - The Netherlands Foreign Minister Maxime Verhagen visited New Zealand 22-23 January, accompanied by his wife and a delegation of officials.

NZ High Commissioner to Fiji

NZ High Commissioner to Fiji

December 2008 - I am disappointed to be returning home as a result of an arbitrary and unwarranted decision by the Fiji Interim Government. As the Foreign Minister, Murray McCully, has made clear, there is no basis or justification for the Interim Government's action - which it has failed to substantiate in any way.

Bali Democracy Forum

December 2008 - The first meeting of the Bali Democracy Forum was held at Nusa Dua, Bali between 10-11 December. This new Indonesian initiative has been set up to provide a forum for discussing how to build and consolidate democracy in the Asian region and this was the main theme for the meeting.

Trans Pacific Agreement

The Trans-Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership Agreement is a model free trade agreement. As the first trade agreement with a membership spanning Asia, Oceania and the Americas, the Trans-Pacific Agreement bridges the Asia-Pacific Region.

Export controls on strategic goods

The export of firearms, military goods and technologies, and goods and technologies that can be used in the production, development or delivery of nuclear, chemical or biological weapons is prohibited under the Customs and Excise Act 1996 unless an export permit has been obtained.

NZ extended seabed claim

New Zealand’s right to approximately 1.7m square kilometres of extended continental shelf seabed has been confirmed by the United Nations Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf.

Safe Travel website

Registering travel details on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Safe Travel website can help us account for New Zealanders in the event of a disaster overseas, such as a cyclone or an earthquake.

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Page last updated: Thursday, 19 August 2010 16:53 NZST