Minister of Foreign Affairs announces appointments

This is a supplied media release. 

New High Commissioner to Samoa announced

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced diplomat David Nicholson as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Samoa.

“Samoa is a close and long-standing friend, and an important partner for New Zealand in the Pacific,” Mr McCully says. 

“Our relationship is founded on the Treaty of Friendship and strong ongoing economic, political and cultural links. We also work together closely together on a range of regional initiatives and through the Pacific Forum.”

Mr Nicholson has worked on Pacific development issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade since 2012 and is currently Divisional Manager - Melanesia and Micronesia. He will also be accredited to American Samoa.

McCully names Ambassador to Poland

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced the appointment of diplomat Mary Thurston as Ambassador to Poland, with accreditation to the Ukraine.

“Poland and New Zealand share a long history and warm relationship based around migration, common values, and international cooperation,” Mr McCully says.

“Poland is an increasingly important member of the EU and Poland’s expanding economy offers opportunities for New Zealand business, particularly in education services and agri-business.” 

Ms Thurston is currently Deputy High Commissioner at the New Zealand High Commission Singapore, and has been previously posted as Deputy High Commissioner at the New Zealand High Commission Honiara and as Deputy Special Coordinator of the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI). 

Ambassador to Austria and UN in Vienna named

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today named diplomat Nicole Roberton as New Zealand’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Office in Vienna and Ambassador to Austria.

“The focus of the Permanent Mission is advancing New Zealand’s nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation interests, particularly in relation to the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty Organisation,” Mr McCully says.

“Vienna is also home to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs, both areas in which New Zealand has a growing international interest.”

Ms Roberton has previously served in the NZ Permanent Mission to the UN in New York, and is currently Special Representative UN Security Council issues (Africa), New Zealand Embassy, Addis Ababa.

As Ambassador to Austria, she will also be accredited to Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia.