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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 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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.