Envoys from Panama, Brunei Darussalam, Nigeria and the Netherlands present credentials

The Ambassador of The Netherlands, High Commissioners for Brunei Darussalam and Nigeria and the Ambassador of Panama present credentials to Governor-General Hon Anand Satyanand at Government House on Wednesday (6 August) at 11.20am.

The Royal New Zealand Airforce will provide the Maori Ceremonial Challenge and the Guard of Honour.

Annelies Boogaerdt is the Ambassador for the Kingdom of the Netherlands.  Ms Boogaerdt joined the Foreign Service in 1982, and has had previous postings in Nairobi, Kuala Lumpur, New York, and most recently Muscat where she was Ambassador.

Datin Tan Bee Yong is the High Commissioner for Brunei Darussalam.  She joined the Foreign Service in 1984, and has held a number of positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as Governor of Brunei Darussalam to the Asia-Europe Foundation and as non-resident Ambassador to Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Norway.

Professor Sunday Oluwadare Agbi is the High Commissioner for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.  He had a career as an academic before becoming Ambassador to Greece in 2004, and this year Ambassador to Australia.

Mr Eduardo Real is the Ambassador for the Republic of Panama.  He has been Ambassador and Consul General of Panama to Singapore since 2005. Prior to that, he had a career as a maritime attorney and merchant marine officer.

Ms Boogaerdt will be based in Wellington while Ms Tan Bee Yong is cross accredited to New Zealand from Bandar Seri Bagawan, Professor Agbi from Canberra, and Mr Real from Singapore.

For further information please contact: Emma Reilly, media adviser, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, (04) 4398777 or (021) 375105

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