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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 70^th anniversary of diplomatic relations,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed China’s announcement that it could support a Ross Sea region marine protected area (MPA).

“New Zealand has been working closely with the United States and all parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to develop an MPA that balances scientific, environmental and fishing interests,” Mr McCully says.

Thank you Mr President, distinguished Minister and Excellencies.

It is with a sense of dismay that we address the Council today on the lack of progress on relations between Israel and Palestine, and the violence that has raged there in the past few weeks.

For the nine and a half months we have been non-permanent members of this Council we have made clear New Zealand’s view that concerted Council action is required to jump-start the direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians that are the only means by which a durable solution can be established.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will travel to New York this week to participate in a UN Security Council open debate on the Middle East.

“As the current President of the Security Council, Spain has announced that the Council’s quarterly public debate on the Middle East will this month be at Ministerial-level given the significance of recent developments in the region,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced that New Zealand will invest $7.5 million in the expansion of the Scenic Matavai Resort in Niue.

“Tourism is the largest contributor to economic growth in Niue and the key to putting Niue on a path towards self-sufficiency,” Mr McCully says.

“The funding announced today will see the development of a further 20 rooms at the Matavai and conference facilities. This builds on New Zealand’s total investment of $18 million since 2009 to support the development on Niue’s tourism sector.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that New Zealand will invest  $2.4 million over two years to help improve aviation safety in eight Pacific countries.

“The Pacific Aeronautical Charting and Procedures Project aims to enhance safety at selected airfields in the Pacific and make commercial air travel in the region safer,” Mr McCully says.

“The project will allow for more accurate surveying of runways, while also checking the landscape for obstacles that could encroach on the flight paths of aircraft.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will lead a delegation to Niue this week to attend World War One commemorations hosted by the Government of Niue.

“In October 1915, 150 men from Niue left to join the New Zealand expeditionary force to fight in World War One,” Mr McCully says.

“The Niuean soldiers served with the Māori Pioneer Battalion on the Western Front before returning home.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has condemned the terrorist attack carried out in downtown Ankara, which has led to a significant death toll with hundreds more wounded.

“This is an abhorrent attack on innocent people carrying out a peaceful demonstration," Mr McCully says.

"Our thoughts are with all those affected and our deepest condolences go out to the families of those who have lost their lives.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced senior diplomat Carl Worker as New Zealand’s new Ambassador for Counter Terrorism.   

“The decision to appoint an Ambassador for Counter Terrorism was announced by the Prime Minister late last year, and reflects the importance we attach to countering the evolving international threat presented ISIL and other terrorist groups,” Mr McCully says. 

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced diplomat Vicki Poole as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Timor-Leste.

“New Zealand has a close friendship with Timor-Leste and we have been proud to work alongside Timor-Leste throughout its nation building process,” Mr McCully says.

“New Zealand provides support through our aid programme for Timor-Leste’s sustainable economic development, education and skills training, and the security and justice sectors.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced diplomat Ben King as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Thailand.

“Thailand is our tenth largest trading partner, with total trade of over $2.4 billion last year,” Mr McCully says.

“Thailand is the second largest and fourth richest ASEAN economy, and a gateway to mainland ASEAN.   It is a long-standing and important partner for us in the wider region, where we have worked together in many fields. 

Mr President,

New Zealand welcomes the Security Council debate on the resolution of conflicts in the Middle East and North Africa.

And we welcome the fact that it involves foreign ministers from so many members of this Council.

But we do not welcome the fact that today we will pass no resolution, not even agree a Presidential statement; we will not stop the fighting.

Sadly this is symbolic of the dysfunction and mistrust that has characterized this Council's performance on Syria and too many of the conflicts that rage in the region.

New Zealand welcomes the ambition contained in the Sustainable Development Goals.
 
And we support the substance of the Goals.

Indeed it would be hard not to.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully departs tomorrow for Brussels, and the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

“The EU is New Zealand’s 3rd largest trading partner with two-way trade totalling more than $19.5 billion,” Mr McCully says.

“While in Brussels I will meet with senior EU representatives, to discuss New Zealand’s aspirations for a free trade agreement with the EU, the refugee crisis which is currently facing the region, and our joint partnership for Pacific development.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed the Sri Lankan Government’s announcement it will establish a Truth & Reconciliation Commission to help the country recover from its decades-long civil war.

“New Zealand welcomes the measures announced by the Sri Lankan Foreign Minister, Mangala Samaraweera at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva this week,” Mr McCully says.

“They constitute a significant step towards genuine reconciliation and political devolution for Sri Lankans, something New Zealand has been encouraging.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that the Government intends to open a new Embassy in Bogota, Colombia.

“Colombia is an increasingly important partner for New Zealand, as it is strategically at the top of South America and has one of the strongest performing economies in the region,” Mr McCully says.

“With a population of over 46 million and solid growth there are numerous opportunities for New Zealand businesses in Colombia, particularly in areas such as education and investment.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed the upcoming official visit to New Zealand this weekend by Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se.

“Minister Yun’s visit is an important opportunity to strengthen New Zealand’s relationship with South Korea, one of our most valuable partners in the Asian region,” Mr McCully says.

“Korea is New Zealand’s sixth-largest trade partner with total two-way goods trade of $4 billion in 2014.  It is also a significant source of tourists and international students.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced a further $4.5 million to help refugees displaced by fighting in Syria, bringing New Zealand’s total humanitarian contribution to the refugee crisis to $20 million.

“To date New Zealand has provided $15.5 million to support people affected by on-going violence in Syria and Iraq,” Mr McCully says.

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee and Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced that this year’s Tropic twilight Exercise will be conducted in the northern Cook Islands atolls of Penrhyn and Manihiki.

“Tropic Twilight is a regular joint exercise in the Pacific involving the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), and other countries with an interest in the region,” Mr Brownlee says.