Search

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has welcomed the announcement from Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah that the official accused of an attack on a young woman in Wellington will be returned to New Zealand.

“Earlier this evening I spoke with Minister Anifah and he advised me that the Malaysian authorities will be returning the official in question to New Zealand to assist with our investigation,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has tonight spoken to Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah to clarify any misunderstanding relating to the diplomat who was accused of an attack on a woman and the circumstance involving his return home.

“The Malaysian Foreign Minister is absolutely committed to the alleged offender facing a proper judicial process,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully says he expects the diplomat accused of an attack on a young woman to face the consequences of his actions in his home country. This follows his Government declining New Zealand’s request for a waiver of diplomatic immunity.

The man’s identity is currently subject to a Court Suppression Order and Crown Law advice is that naming the individual or other identifying features, such as country he represented, would breach that order.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has expressed deep concern at the prison sentences imposed by the Egyptian court on three Al Jazeera journalists, including Australian Peter Greste. 

“Press freedom and transparent judicial processes are fundamental to any democracy,” Mr McCully says.

“I have seen nothing to suggest that these three journalists were doing anything other than their job and the seven year prison sentences imposed appear to be aimed at silencing critics rather than serving justice.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced that New Zealand will provide $500,000 to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) to help people displaced by fighting in Iraq.

“New Zealand is deeply concerned by the escalating violence in Iraq and the displacement of civilians,” Mr McCully says.

“An estimated 500,000 people have been forced from their homes in recent days due to advances by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced Clare Fearnley as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to the Republic of Korea.

“New Zealand and Korea have a wide ranging relationship that encompasses close political ties and a history of shared sacrifice dating back to the Korean War,” Mr McCully says.

“Korea is one of our top five goods trading partners and we are seeking to conclude Free Trade Agreement negotiations in the near future.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today named diplomat Caroline Bilkey as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Brazil.

“All eyes are currently on Brazil as they host the FIFA World Cup and prepare to host the 2016 Olympics,” Mr McCully says.

“This shared passion for sport, and our Prime Minister’s visit to Latin America last year, have created real momentum in the relationship between our two countries.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has appointed diplomat Rod Harris as New Zealand’s new Ambassador to Germany. 

“Our diplomatic relationship with Germany is in very good shape,” Mr McCully says.

“We work together closely at the United Nations and Germany is an influential member of the European Union and the G20.

“Germany is also a major trading partner for New Zealand. Two-way trade in goods amounts to nearly $3 billion per year and Germany is currently the third largest European investor in New Zealand.

Secretary of State John Kerry

I am delighted to be here - thank you for inviting me.

I well recall our first telephone conversation soon after your confirmation. We spoke of the urgent need to focus the debate and galvanise actions, to combat the rapid decline in global fish stocks, sea level rise, ocean acidification and the loss of biodiversity.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has expressed New Zealand’s deep concern about the serious deterioration of security in Iraq in recent days.

“It appears that militants associated with the Islamic State of Levant (ISIL) have taken control of significant parts of Iraq’s second largest city of Mosul, as well as other areas of northwest Iraq,” Mr McCully says.

“We strongly condemn the violence, loss of life, and displacement of Iraqi civilians associated with this action.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully is travelling to the United States, Ghana, Turkey, Iran, Serbia, Belgium and the Dominican Republic over the next two weeks.

The Minister is travelling to Washington to attend the ‘Our Oceans’ conference, which is being hosted by US Secretary of State John Kerry. He will also visit New York, at the same time as the Prime Minister, in support of New Zealand’s United Nations Security Council campaign.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has described reported comments on whaling from Japanese PM Shinzō Abe as “worrying”.

“While it is not clear precisely what Prime Minister Abe is proposing in the short term, the fact that he has told a Parliamentary Committee that he wants to aim towards the resumption of commercial whaling is both unfortunate and unhelpful,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced New Zealand will contribute $3.8 million to the Fred Hollows Foundation NZ for a new regional eye care centre in Solomon Islands.

“Around 80,000 people in the Pacific are blind, and four out of five of these people could have their sight restored through an operation,” Mr McCully says.

"In addition to robbing people of their sight, avoidable blindness can also negatively impact employment opportunities for individuals and cause hardship for Pacific families and communities.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced that construction is starting on renewable energy projects worth more than $30 million in the Cook Islands and Tuvalu.

“New Zealand is committed to working with Pacific countries to increase access to clean, efficient and affordable energy, and reducing the regions’ reliance on imported diesel,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has urged the leaders of Thailand’s coup to set an earlier timetable for holding elections.

“We remain deeply concerned at the military’s suspension of democracy in Thailand,” Mr McCully says.

"General Prayuth Chan-ocha, has said that it could take at least a year to hold elections and this is far too long in New Zealand's view.

"We call on the coup leaders to state their commitment to restoring democracy and fundamental human rights, such as free media and the right to peaceful assembly.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has today announced Shane Jones as New Zealand’s new Ambassador for Pacific Economic Development. He will also serve as High Commissioner to several small island developing states in the Pacific and Indian Oceans, which will be announced once diplomatic formalities have been completed.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has expressed deep concern at the news of a military coup in Thailand and the suspension of the constitution.

"It is difficult to see how military rule will ease Thailand's current political crisis. The detention of political leaders is unacceptable," Mr McCully says.

"New Zealand calls for an early return to democracy in Thailand, and for full restoration of the rule of law and fundamental human rights - including press freedoms and the freedom of association.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully is travelling to Guyana to attend the annual meeting of Foreign Ministers from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) over the coming week.

“The Caribbean and our own Pacific region share a number of similar challenges and opportunities,” says Mr McCully.

“CARICOM is the Caribbean equivalent of our Pacific Islands Forum and the meeting presents an opportunity to update my counterparts on our growing relationship with the region.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has today named diplomat Robert Kaiwai as New Zealand’s first Consul-General in Honolulu, Hawai’i.

“New Zealand is looking to step up our diplomatic engagement with the Northern Pacific and work closely with the United States on Pacific issues,” Mr McCully says.

“We welcome the United States’ continued involvement in the region and our close cooperation in areas like humanitarian aid, fisheries and disaster risk management.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has today named John McKinnon QSO as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to China.

“New Zealand’s relationship with China has become one of our most important,” says Mr McCully.

“In the past six years the value of two-way goods trade has doubled, while the value of our exports has tripled.

“In response we are expanding our diplomatic presence and we will open a new post in Western China later this year - our fourth diplomatic office on the mainland.

Sport and Recreation Minister Murray McCully today announced two important steps to prevent match-fixing and protect the reputation of New Zealand sport.

“New Zealand is not immune to the international risks of match-fixing and we are taking pre-emptive steps to protect our well-deserved reputation for playing fair and the integrity of New Zealand sport,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully travels to the Cook Islands tomorrow to attend the Pacific Islands Forum Special Leaders’ Meeting on the Pacific Plan on behalf of the Prime Minister.

“The Pacific Plan is the Forum’s guiding strategy for stimulating economic growth and promoting good governance and security in the Pacific,” Mr McCully says.

“A review of the Pacific Plan has recently been completed and the Special Leaders’ Meeting in Rarotonga will consider the findings of this report.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully has announced Don Higgins as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Kiribati.

“New Zealand and Kiribati have a strong relationship and we work closely in areas of trade and investment, fisheries cooperation, and support for maritime surveillance and search and rescue,” Mr McCully says.

“The High Commissioner will be responsible for overseeing New Zealand’s aid programme which will total around $29 million this financial year.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today visited the site of the New Zealand funded Te Mana o te Ra solar array on Rarotonga.  

“When completed the Te Mana o te Ra solar array will generate 5 per cent of Rarotonga’s electricity needs - providing a significant boost to renewable energy in the Cook Islands,” says Mr McCully.