Foreign Affairs
Release

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced diplomat Linda Te Puni as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Tuvalu.

“New Zealand’s relationship with Tuvalu continues to go from strength to strength  and I am pleased to announce that Ms Te Puni will be New Zealand’s new non-resident High Commissioner to Tuvalu,” Mr McCully says

“We have recently completed two major aid projects in Tuvalu focused on renewable energy and the rehabilitation of the ‘borrow pits’.

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs
Release

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced a $1.5 million increase to New Zealand’s aid package to Fiji as it recovers from Cyclone Winston. The announcement comes following Minister McCully’s visit to Fiji yesterday and takes New Zealand’s total support to over $4.7 million.

“The devastation caused by Cyclone Winston is very serious. Nearly 55,000 people remain in evacuation centres and the people of Fiji now face the difficult task of rebuilding their lives,” Mr McCully says.

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs
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Foreign Minister Murray McCully will visit Fiji today to discuss the response to Tropical Cyclone Winston with the Fiji Government and look at how New Zealand can support recovery efforts.

“The damage to property, and loss of life caused by Cyclone Winston in parts of Fiji is almost unprecedented in the Pacific,” Mr McCully says. 

“Our total contribution to the relief effort now stands at $3.2 million and NZDF assets and personnel are helping to deliver supplies and repair damage to critical infrastructure.

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs
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Foreign Minister Murray McCully is in Apia today to participate in a ceremony marking the handover of the new Tokelau ferry, the MV Mataliki. 

“The Mataliki is a purpose-built vessel that has been specifically designed to carry passengers and cargo between Samoa and the three atolls of Tokelau,” Mr McCully says.

“Tokelau can only be reached by ship so this vessel is a vital lifeline for the atolls. The Mataliki will sail between Samoa and Tokelau fortnightly, offering a safe, reliable, and faster service for the people of Tokelau. 

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs
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Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced a further Defence Force flight to Fiji and $1.8 million in funding, bringing New Zealand’s total contribution to relief efforts following Tropical Cyclone Winston to more than $2 million.

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs
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Foreign Minister Murray McCully has outlined the initial support that New Zealand will provide to Fiji as they respond to Tropical Cyclone Winston.

“Tropical Cyclone Winston appears to have caused major damage on the Northern Coast of Vitu Levu and sadly one person has now been confirmed dead,” Mr McCully says.

“New Zealand stands ready to assist the people of Fiji as they deal with the aftermath of Cyclone Winston and we are in close contact with the Government of Fiji.

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs
Release

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced that New Zealand has completed the domestic processes required to lift the United Nations sanctions against Iran.

“We are pleased to support the Iran nuclear deal and the changes to our domestic regulations, which come into force today, will make it easier New Zealanders to do business with Iran,” Mr McCully says

“The main impact is that companies trading with Iran will no longer need to register with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs
Release

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will travel to Suva this week to meet with Fiji’s Foreign Minister Ratu Inoke Kubuabola.

“This will be my first visit to Suva since the 2014 elections and it is an opportunity to discuss our ongoing re-engagement directly with the Government of Fiji,” Mr McCully says.

"My discussions with Minister Kubuabola and other Government representatives will cover a range of matters including regional issues, trade, and our aid and development programme.

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs
Release

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that New Zealand will provide $500,000 to help the Pacific region to counter the spread of the Zika.

“With the Zika virus now confirmed in a number of Pacific countries, New Zealand is committed to helping limit the impact and spread of the virus in the region,” says Mr McCully.

“New Zealand will provide $250,000 as a contribution to the WHO to implement the Pacific Zika Action Plan, and a further $250,000 to enable countries in the region to respond rapidly if required.

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs
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Foreign Minister Murray McCully has condemned today’s long-range rocket launch by North Korea.

“This action contravenes United Nations Security Council resolutions demanding that North Korea cease any launches using ballistic missile technology,” Mr McCully says.

“While North Korea has claimed it as a satellite launch, the real purpose is widely believed to a long-range missile test. 

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs
Release

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has released the Whitehead Report, into diplomatic immunity issues surrounding Malaysian Defence attache Mohammad Rizalman.

“As previously indicated the conclusions reached by Mr Whitehead’s investigation are not unexpected but they are very disappointing,” Mr Mccully says.

“At the heart of the matter is a single email, along with procedural shortcomings, which gave Malaysian officials the impression it would be acceptable for Mr Rizalman to return to Malaysia.

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs
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Foreign Minister Murray McCully has named diplomat Daniel Mellsop as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Canada.

“Canada is one of New Zealand’s strongest international partners, with over 75 years of established diplomatic relations,” Mr McCully says.

“Our world views are underpinned by our shared parliamentary, legal, social and defence traditions.  As Commonwealth countries, we work closely together across a range of foreign policy issues.

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs
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Prime Minister and Acting Foreign Minister John Key has named diplomat Dr Jonathan Austin as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Singapore.

“New Zealand has a strong relationship with Singapore going back to its foundation in 1965, and it is one of our most valued partners in the Asia-Pacific region,” Mr Key says.

John Key Foreign Affairs
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New Zealand has led a joint diplomatic protest over Japan’s decision to resume whaling in the Southern Ocean, Prime Minister and Acting Foreign Minister John Key says.

“New Zealand and other concerned countries today sent a strong message to the Japanese Government over its resumption of whaling in the Southern Ocean, delivering a formal message in Tokyo expressing their opposition.

John Key Foreign Affairs
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Prime Minister and Acting Foreign Minister John Key has announced Tim Groser as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the United States.

“New Zealand’s relationship with the United States is one of our most crucial,” Mr Key says.

“As the world’s largest economy and New Zealand’s fourth-largest trading partner, the United States is a key destination for our exporters. New Zealand and the United States also cooperate on a range of international peace and security issues.

John Key Prime Minister Foreign Affairs
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Acting Foreign Minister Todd McClay today expressed New Zealand’s deep disappointment at the Japanese Government’s decision that it will return to the Southern Ocean to undertake whaling this season.

“New Zealand is strongly opposed to whaling in the Southern Ocean. We call on Japan to take heed of the 2014 International Court of Justice decision and international scientific advice concerning their whaling activities,” Mr McClay says. 

Todd McClay Foreign Affairs
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Acting Foreign Minister Christopher Finlayson today announced three new appointments to Antarctica New Zealand’s management board.

"Scientist Dr Helen Anderson, Hunter Powell Investments Founder and Director Sharon Hunter, and Kiwibank Chair Rob Morrison are each being appointed to a first term on the board responsible for managing New Zealand’s programme in the Antarctic," Mr Finlayson said.

Christopher Finlayson Foreign Affairs
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Acting Foreign Minister John Key has welcomed the peaceful conduct of Myanmar’s election on November 8.

“The election is an important milestone in Myanmar’s democratic transition, which now needs to be maintained by all parties respecting the will of the voters,” Mr Key says.

“We commend the people of Myanmar, the candidates, and the country’s electoral authorities for the scale of participation and the orderly conduct of the polls.

John Key Prime Minister Foreign Affairs
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Associate Foreign Minister Hon Todd McClay has reiterated New Zealand’s commitment to achieving an ambitious outcome to the upcoming Paris Climate change talks at the Asia-Europe Meeting Foreign Ministers Meeting (ASEM) in Luxembourg this week.

“Political momentum for the new climate change agreement to be concluded at COP21 in Paris is building,” says Mr McClay.

In his speech to the 53 European and Asian members of ASEM he said the Asia-Pacific region regularly experiences natural disasters where climate change is playing a role.

Todd McClay Foreign Affairs
Speech

HRH the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Madame Chair – EU Representative and Vice President, Mogherini, Ministers, and delegates.

On behalf of the Northeast and South Asia group of Asian countries I would like to thank in advance Luxembourg and the European Commission for their excellent arrangements in hosting and chairing this ASEM Foreign Ministers Meeting.

Todd McClay Foreign Affairs
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Foreign Minister Murray McCully is currently on leave following surgery last week.

Minister McCully is recuperating in Auckland and is expected to make a full recovery.

Responsibility for the Foreign Affairs portfolio will be transferred to the Prime Minister in the interim to allow Minister McCully to focus on his recovery.

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs
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Associate Foreign Minister Hon Todd McClay is travelling to Luxembourg to attend the biennial Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Foreign Ministers Meeting this week.

ASEM members include 53 European and Asian nations and represents nearly 60 per cent of the world’s GDP and around 60 per cent of its population. 

New Zealand is coordinator for the North East and South East Asian members of ASEM – a group that includes New Zealand, Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Kazakstan, Korea, Mongolia, Pakistan and Russia.

Todd McClay Foreign Affairs
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Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced diplomat Ian Hill as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Moscow. He will also be accredited to Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.

“New Zealand has a long-standing relationship with Russia dating back to the early 1800s, with 2014 marking the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations,” Mr McCully says.

Murray McCully Foreign Affairs