Andrew Needs, NZ’s next HC to 🇦🇺embarked on a whirl-wind tour of AKL last week, meeting with some of the region’s leading exporters to the 🇦🇺market. It was great for Andrew to meet with Beca CEO, Amelia Linzey, who provided an overview of Beca’s objectives in the 🇦🇺market

On Thursday night we were thrilled to welcome 🇦🇺 Australian HC to NZ 🇳🇿, HE Harinder Sidhu, to our offices as part of an event hosted by NZIIA Auckland. HE spoke about the geostrategic challenges facing the world, and how the Trans-Tasman relationship must evolve to meet them.

With the sighting of the new crescent moon, the Islamic community in New Zealand 🇳🇿 and around the world start the holy month of Ramadan. We wish all those celebrating, and who will be undertaking prayer and fasting in the month ahead a very happy Ramadan 🌙🙏 #RamadanMubarak

On this day March 11, New Zealand celebrates being one of the 56 member nations of the Commonwealth. The theme for #CommonwealthDay and the upcoming #CHOGM in Samoa is ‘One Resilient Common Future: Transforming our Common Wealth.’ More info:thecommonwealth.org/commonwealth-d…

Today we celebrate the women representing New Zealand on International Women’s Day 🌏 #IWD2024

Our team was thrilled to join the law careers expo at AUT University this week, and to speak to the weekly study wānanga at AUT’s Ngā Wai o Horotiu hosted by Māori Students’ Association, Tītahi ki Tua, promoting awareness of foreign policy careers at New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade .

Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland 🇳🇿is hosting the Pasifika Festival in March. Want to celebrate the rich and diverse culture of the Pacific Islands? See more information here: Pasifika Festival | March 2024 | Tātaki Auckland Unlimited (aucklandnz.com)

It was great to join the Latin America Centre of Asia-Pacific Excellence on Friday for the AKL launch of their new Wayfinding data visualisation website.

Open the Wayfinding tool here: wayfinding.co.nz/home

Observed on March 05, the International Day for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Awareness promotes understanding about how disarmament efforts contribute to enhancing peace, security and preventing armed conflicts globally. More info: ➡️ mfat.govt.nz/en/peace-right…

Great to attend the first mtg of the AKL Welfare Coordination Group in 2024.
The Group is organised by AKL Emergency Management and seeks to bring together agencies that have a role in civil defence delivery.
We look forward to working together to build a more resilient Auckland!

It was a pleasure to attend the opening of the Bank Of New Zealand Auckland Lantern Festival at the Manukau Sports Bowl.  Happy Year of the Dragon!

Last week the MFAT export controls team visited Auckland to conduct outreach to familiarise themselves with the operations of relevant companies and universities, and explain to them how the export controls regime works (see link below for details).

mfat.govt.nz/en/trade/expor…

We were delighted to attend an event celebrating the birthday of HM the Emperor of Japan last week. It was great to see so many in attendance to toast His Majesty and reflect on the strong NZ-Japan bilateral relationship. Many thanks to Consul-General MATSUI of Japan for hosting.

Thank you to Honorary Consul General of the Slovak Republic Peter Kiely, ONZM for hosting NZ’s Ambassador to the EU and NATO Simon J Draper in AKL to meet with the AKL based EU Consular Corps.

Wonderful to also have inbound EU Ambassador to New Zealand Lawrence Meredith 🇪🇺 in attendance

Delighted to have the opportunity to farewell 🇰🇷Consul-General In-Taek Kim and thank him for his work deepening the NZ-Korea relationship in AKL over the past 3 years. Exciting opportunities to enhance our trade, green economy & cultural links.

It was great to catch up with Adele Mason, Deputy Executive Director Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono yesterday. We are looking forward to welcoming incoming CEO Suz Jessep in the coming weeks. Asia New Zealand Foundation Te Whītau Tūhono 's program of “Track 2” informal diplomacy is an invaluable complement to our work.

Last week we welcomed Cecile Hillyer to Auckland to undertake a programme of business calls ahead of commencing her role as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Canada. She will take up the position in mid-January. All the best for your posting Cecile!

Thank you to Vasyl Myroshnychenko , Ambassador of Ukraine to New Zealand, for hosting us this week to formally welcome Patrick Gamble as the new Honorary Consul of Ukraine in New Zealand. We look forward to supporting your work here in Tāmaki Makaurau.