On this beautiful Wellington spring morning, the Governor-General welcomed five new Heads of Mission to Government House, marking the beginning of their diplomatic appointments to Aotearoa New Zealand: Her Excellency Ms Louise Cantillon, High Commissioner of the United Kingdom; Her Excellency Ms Lucie Samcová-Hall Allen, Ambassador of the European Union; His Excellency Mr Zhao Xing, Ambassador of the People's Republic of China; His Excellency Mr Nom Piseth, Ambassador of the Kingdom of Cambodia; and His Excellency Mr Donatas Butkus, Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania.
Dame Cindy expressed her appreciation for the important role of diplomacy in strengthening international relationships, and wished each Head of Mission every success in their new roles.
You can find more images from this morning's ceremony in the image gallery for the morning credentials ceremony of 4 November 2026.