Envoys for The Netherlands, Poland, Italy and Viet Nam will present their credentials to the Governor-General, Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, at Government House in Wellington tomorrow (Wednesday 17 September 2014).
The ceremony, which will include a Māori ceremonial challenge and a military guard of honour provided by the New Zealand Army, begins at 11am.
The Ambassador of the Netherlands, HE Mr Robert Zaagman has been a career public servant with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with postings to Helsinki, London and New York. Prior to taking up his post in New Zealand he was Consul–General in Munich. Mr Zaagman is based in Wellington.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, HE Mr Zbigniew Gniatkowski began his career as a TV and radio journalist before joining the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He is a graduate of the National School of Public Administration in Warsaw and the Catholic University of Lublin. Mr Gniatkowski is based in Wellington.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Italy, HE Mr Carmelo Barbarello has had a twenty year career with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with postings in Ethiopia, Greece, Argentina and India. Mr Barbarello is based in Wellington.
The Ambassador of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, HE Mr Nguyen Viet Dung studied at the Diplomatic Academy in Ha Noi and the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration. He has had postings in Canada and also served as Director General of the Viet Nam Ministry of Foreign Affairs before being announced as Ambassador to New Zealand. Mr Dung is based in Wellington.