Credentials ceremony - 6 May 2009

The High Commissioners for Singapore, Bangladesh and Tonga will present credentials to Governor-General, Hon Sir Anand Satyanand, at Government House Vogel (Lower Hutt) tomorrow (6 May).

The ceremony will begin at 11am.  The New Zealand Army will provide the Māori Ceremonial Challenge and the Guard of Honour at tomorrow's ceremony.

Justice MPH Rubin is Singapore's High Commissioner.  He has a legal background.  He retired from the Singapore Supreme Court in 2005 and was then appointed High Commissioner to South Africa.

Lieutenant General Musad Uddin Chowdhury is the High Commissioner for Bangladesh.  He has a military background, and was appointed High Commissioner to Australia late last year.

Siaosi Taimani Aho is Tonga's first High Commissioner to New Zealand.  He has a public service and political background.  He has served as Foreign Affairs Secretary and Justice Secretary, and been posted to London twice.  More recently, he has held ministerial posts including Justice and Police, and has also been Attorney General. 

Also attending the ceremony will be the new Australian High Commissioner, Paul O'Sullivan who presented a Letter of Introduction to Prime Minister, Hon John Key, in March.  Mr O'Sullivan has had previous postings in Rome, Cairo, Geneva, and Germany.  He was most recently Director-General of the Australian Security and Intelligence Agency.

Justice Rubin, Mr Aho and Mr O'Sullivan are based in Wellington whilst Lt General Chowdhury is accredited from Canberra.

For further information please contact: Emma Reilly – Media adviser; Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on (04) 4398777

Media wishing to attend the ceremony contact: Antony Paltridge; Public Affairs Officer at Government House on (04) 382 0827 or (021) 470 583