Credentials Ceremony

The Ambassadors of Brazil and Colombia and the High Commissioner of Malta present credentials to the Governor-General, the Hon Anand Satyanand, at Government House Wellington on Tuesday 17 July at 11.30 am.

Manoel Antonio Da Fonseca Couto Gomes Pereira is the Ambassador of Brazil.  Mr Pereira has previously undertaken a number of overseas assignments, including Rome, Port of Spain, Lima, Madrid and Sydney.  Mr Pereira has held a number of positions within the Brazilian Foreign Ministry. 

The new High Commissioner of Malta is Francis Tabone.  Mr Tabone has a commercial background having served as chair or general manager of a number of businesses in Malta.  In 2006 he was appointed High Commissioner of Malta in Australia from where he is cross-accredited to New Zealand.

Patricia Cardenas Santamaria is the new Ambassador of Colombia.  Based in Tokyo, she is cross-accredited to New Zealand.  From 2001-2006 Mrs Cardenas as the President of the Banking and Financial Association of Colombia.

Ambassador Pereira is based in Wellington, High Commissioner Tabone is based in Canberra, while Ambassador Cardenas is based in Tokyo. 

The New Zealand Army will provide ceremonial support including the Maori Ceremonial Challenge and the Guard of Honour.

Media wishing to cover this event should seek accreditation from the Public Affairs Officer, Antony Paltridge, 04 382 0827 or 021 470 583.  Media seeking more information regarding the envoys should contact Helen Tunnah, Communications Adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, 04 439 8205 or 021 946 273