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The Governor General Lt Gen The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae hosted his first credentials ceremony today at Government House, Wellington.
Envoys for Mexico, Spain, Malaysia, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea presented their credentials to the Governor-General.
The formal ceremony included a Māori ceremonial challenge and a military guard of honour from the New Zealand Army. After the ceremony, Sir Jerry and Lady Janine Mateparae, hosted a luncheon in the Norrie State Dining Room for the new envoys.
The Ambassador for Mexico Mrs Rosaura Rueda-Gutiérrez was the first to present credentials. Mrs Rueda is a career diplomat and an academic. She recently headed the Mexican Embassy in Jamaica and has served in Vietnam. Mrs Rueda has also published a number of articles on foreign policy, the arms race and borders. Mrs Rueda is resident in Wellington.
Also resident in Wellington is the Spanish Ambassador Jesús Miguel Sanz Escorihuela. He has been a career diplomat since 1992 and recently served as Director General of Casa Asia Institution of Public Diplomacy covering Asian and Pacific Regions. He has also served in Dar-Es-Salaam, Paris and Beijing.
Malaysian High Commissioner Dató Mazlan Bin Muhammad is a career diplomat and is resident in Wellington. He has headed Malaysia’s mission in Myanmar and served in China, the United States of America, India and Iran.
The Ambassador for the Philippines, Virginia Honrado Benavidez, is a career diplomat and is based in Wellington. She has served most recently in Brunei Darussalum. Ambassador Benavidez has also conducted specialised courses in diplomacy including cultural awareness, and Women in Development.
The Ambassador for the Republic of Korea, Park Yongkyu, is a career diplomat and an academic. He has served in Canada, Pakistan, Geneva, the Netherlands and the Slovak Republic and is resident in Wellington.