The envoys of six nations will present their credentials to the Governor-General, Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, at Government House in Wellington tomorrow (Thursday 12 December 2013).
The ceremony, which will include a Māori ceremonial challenge and a military guard of honour provided by the New Zealand Army, begins at 10.45am.
The Ambassador of the Arab Republic of Egypt, HE Mahmoud Mohamed Gamal Eldin Zayed, is a professional diplomat. Mr Zayed has served in London and Washington DC before being appointed as Egypt’s Charge’ d’Affaires in Wellington in 2010.
The High Commissioner for the Republic of India, HE Ravi Thapar, is a career diplomat who has served in Cairo, Riyadh, San Francisco and Milan. Prior to his current appointment, Mr Thapar was India’s Ambassador to Lebanon. He is based in Wellington.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain, HE Manuel Viturro de la Torre, is a professional diplomat. In a lengthy career, he has served in many places around the world, including as Spain’s Ambassador to Venezuela and Bolivia. He is based in Wellington.
The Ambassador of the State of Libya, HE Musbah Allafi, is a career diplomat. He has served in New York, Geneva, Cairo and Bahrain. Mr Allafi is based in Canberra, where he is also Ambassador to Australia.
The Ambassador of the Kingdom of Belgium, HE Jean-Luc Bodson, is a professional diplomat. He has served in Seoul, New York and Sydney and as Belgium’s Ambassador to Columbia and Morocco. Mr Bodson is based in Canberra, where he is also Ambassador to Australia.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia, HE Andris Teikmanis, was a lawyer, judge, city councillor and parliamentarian before becoming a diplomat. In May 1990, as a Member of Latvia’s Supreme Council, he signed the declaration restoring the nation’s independence from the Soviet Union. Mr Teikmanis is based in London, where he is also Ambassador to the United Kingdom.
Media wishing to attend the ceremony must contact Jo Blick, Public Affairs Adviser, on 021 243-7958 by 9am on 12 December 2013.