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Envoys for Israel, Mali, Mauritius, Colombia, and Benin will present their credentials to the Governor-General, Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, at Government House in Wellington tomorrow (Thursday 27 June 2013).
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 Israel, HE Yosef Livne, is a career diplomat who has previously served as Ambassador to Mexico, El Salvador, Belize and The Bahamas. Prior to his current appointment, Mr Livne was Director for European Union Cooperation Programmes in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Mr Livne is based in Wellington.
The Ambassador of Mali, HE Mr Mahamane El Hadji Bania Toure, is a government official. He holds a Master’s degree in Public and International Affairs from the University of Pittsburgh where he was a Fulbright Scholar. Mr Toure is based in Tokyo, where he also serves as Ambassador to Japan.
The High Commissioner of Mauritius, HE Mrs Mirella Chauvin, has had a career in education and local government. Mrs Chauvin was Mayor of Beau-Bassin and Treasurer of the Secondary and Preparatory Schools Teachers Union. Mrs Chauvin is based in Canberra, where she also serves as Ambassador to Australia.
The Ambassador of Colombia, HE Mrs Clemencia Forero-Ucrós, is a career diplomat. She has previously served as Colombia’s Ambassador to Canada, Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. Mrs Forero-Ucrós is based in Canberra, where she is Colombia’s Ambassador to Australia.
The Ambassador of Benin, HE Mr Zomahoun Dossou Cyr Rufin, is an expert in Asian languages. Mr Rufin holds an MA in Chinese Language and Literature from Beijing University of Language and Culture and a Master’s degree in Sociology from Sophia University in Japan. From 2004-2011, Mr Rufin was a special advisor to the President of Benin. He is based in Tokyo where he is Benin’s Ambassador to Japan.
Media wishing to attend the ceremony must contact Antony Paltridge, Public Affairs Manager, on 021 470583 by 9am on 27 June 2013.