Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 results.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed this morning’s announcement that the United States and Cuba intend to re-establish diplomatic relations after 53 years.

“New Zealand supports this decision which is a significant step forward for both countries and the region,” Mr McCully says.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has now received the report on the Ministerial Inquiry - Events surrounding the request for waiver of the diplomatic immunity of a Malaysian Defence Attaché.

“Mr John Whitehead has now completed the Inquiry into the request for a waiver of immunity in relation to Mr Rizalman’s alleged offending, and provided me with a final report,” Mr McCully says.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Associate Trade Minister Todd McClay will address the New Zealand Honorary Consul Conference of the Western USA and Hawaii in Los Angeles on Monday.

The opening address is one of a number of visits and meetings in his Revenue, Associate Trade and Associate Foreign Affairs portfolios.

Mr McClay will also visit the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Global Access Programme.

  • Todd McClay
  • Trade
  • Revenue
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced diplomat Jacqui Caine as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Chile.

“Chile is New Zealand's longest standing friend in Latin America and there is growing commercial investment by New Zealand companies in Chile, particularly in the agricultural and energy sectors,” Mr McCully says.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced the reinstatement of New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Fiji.

“New Zealand has had an acting High Commissioner since 2007, and this announcement is an important step in re-building our relationship with Fiji,” Mr McCully says.

“The new High Commissioner will be diplomat Mark Ramsden, who has been the Acting High Commissioner in Suva since September 2013.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully travels to Brussels this weekend to attend the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Foreign Ministers meeting.

“This year’s NATO Foreign Ministers meeting will bring together Ministers from NATO’s 28 member states and countries that contributed to the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan,” Mr McCully says.

“The discussions will focus on how the international community can support Afghanistan as the country takes full control of its own security and development.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today thanked outgoing MFAT Chief Executive John Allen for his service.

“Mr Allen was the first non-diplomat to hold the top job at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,” Mr McCully says.

“He was appointed in 2009 and immediately set about helping to create a Ministry that was more modern, effective, and focused on delivering real benefits to New Zealanders.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced diplomat David Strachan as New Zealand’s new Ambassador to the Philippines.

“The Philippines market is important for New Zealand. Last year New Zealand exported over $750 million of goods to the Philippines, and it is one of New Zealand's top five markets for dairy products,” Mr McCully says.

“The trade and economic relationship is underpinned by the ASEAN-New Zealand-Australia Free Trade Agreement, a high quality agreement making trade and investment easier for businesses on both sides.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has today named diplomat John Subritzky as New Zealand’s new High Commissioner to Malaysia, to be based in Kuala Lumpur.

“Malaysia is an important political, trade and economic partner for New Zealand.  It is our seventh-largest trading partner, with total goods trade exceeding $3 billion annually,” Mr McCully says.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has today named career diplomat Trevor Matheson as New Zealand’s new Ambassador to Indonesia.

“Indonesia is the largest country in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and, with a population of more than 250 million, strong economic growth and a growing consumer population, it is also an important market for New Zealand companies,” Mr McCully says.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Health Minister Dr Jonathan Coleman and Foreign Minister Murray McCully have outlined further support from New Zealand to help combat the spread of Ebola.

“Ebola is having a devastating impact in parts of West Africa. More than 5,000 people have died from the disease and it is estimated that more than 14,000 people have become infected,” Dr Coleman says.

“If the developed world fails to act, case numbers will exponentially increase, with devastating consequences for long term stability in Africa.

  • Murray McCully
  • Jonathan Coleman
  • Health
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that New Zealand will increase its humanitarian support for refugees from Syria and Iraq and ramp up diplomatic efforts to address the rise of ISIL.

“Unrest and violence caused by ISIL is making the already pressing humanitarian crisis in Syria and Iraq far worse,” Mr McCully says.

“Millions of people have fled their homes as the result of on-going violence in Iraq and Syria, and New Zealand has provided $13.5 million to help address their plight.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has today named diplomat Justin Fepuleai as New Zealand’s next Consul-General to New Caledonia. He will also be accredited to French Polynesia and Wallis and Futuna.

“Our relationship with the French territories in the Pacific is extremely important,” Minister McCully says.

“New Caledonia and French Polynesia are two of New Zealand’s largest trading partners in the Pacific, and our total goods trade is worth more than $350 million annually.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has appointed diplomat Barney Riley as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Egypt.

“New Zealand has a strong trade relationship with Egypt. It is our third largest trading partner in Africa and has a growing interest in New Zealand dairy and meat,” Mr McCully says.

“Egypt is the most populous Arab country and as regional leader its stability is important for the region.  

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced diplomat Gabrielle Rush as New Zealand’s new Consul-General in Hong Kong.

“Hong Kong is a dynamic city and is an important commercial and investment market for New Zealand companies,” Mr McCully says.

“With two-way goods trade of over $900 million a year it is an important gateway to mainland China for New Zealand firms. Since 2011 the New Zealand-Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership has secured duty-free access for New Zealand goods into Hong Kong and improved business flows.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has appointed diplomat James Kember as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to France.

“New Zealand’s relationship with France is one of our most long-standing and vibrant, and it remains an important partner within the European Union,” Mr McCully says.

“The next four years will see us jointly commemorating both the 100th anniversary of the First World War, and the death of thousands of New Zealand soldiers on French soil.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that Shane Jones will serve as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Nauru, Mauritius and the Seychelles in addition to his role as Pacific Economic Development Ambassador.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has travelled to Jakarta to attend the inauguration ceremony for the Indonesian President-elect Joko Widodo.

“Indonesia is one of the world’s largest democracies, a major player in ASEAN, and one of New Zealand’s most important political and trading partners in the South East Asia region,” Mr McCully says.

“Indonesia is projected to be the world’s seventh largest economy by 2030, and with a population of close to 250 million people, it is an important destination for New Zealand exports.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs

Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully travels to New York today ahead of the United Nations Security Council elections.

“On 16 October New Zealand will vie with Spain and Turkey for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council,” Mr McCully says.

“The final days of our campaign are crucial and we will work hard right up to the vote to convince the international community that New Zealand deserves a place on the Council.

  • Murray McCully
  • Foreign Affairs