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Envoys for Turkey, Panama, Nigeria, Ethiopia and Jordan will present their credentials to the Governor-General, Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, at Government House in Wellington tomorrow (Tuesday 19 June).
The ceremony, which will include a Māori ceremonial challenge, and a military guard of honour provided by the Royal New Zealand Air Force, begins at 11am.
The Ambassador of Turkey, HE Ms Damla Yeşim Say, is a career diplomat and has served in Turkish embassies in Baghdad, Tokyo, New York and Geneva. Before her current appointment she was Deputy Director General for Bilateral Economic Affairs in the Turkish Foreign Ministry. Ms Say is based in Wellington.
The Ambassador of Panama, HE Mr Jose Antonio Ruiz Blanco, has considerable business experience before taking on his first diplomatic appointment in 2009. Mr Ruiz is based in Singapore.
The High Commissioner for Nigeria, HE Mr Ayoola Lawrence Olukanni, is a career diplomat and has served in Nigerian posts in New York, Tel Aviv, Kenya and Vienna. Mr Olukanni is based in Canberra.
The Ambassador of Ethiopia, HE Mr Markos Tekle Rike, has a substantial background in academia. Prior to joining the diplomatic service in 2010, he was a Lecturer at the Department of Governance and Development Studies, Hawassa University in south-western Ethiopia. Mr Rike is based in Tokyo.
The Ambassador of Jordan, HE Mrs Rima Alaadeen, is a career diplomat and has served in Dubai and Geneva. Prior to her current appointment she was Director of Human Rights and Human Security Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mrs Alaadeen is based in Canberra.
Media wishing to attend the ceremony must contact Antony Paltridge, Public Affairs Manager, Government House on 04 382 0832 or 021 470 583