The foreign relations of New Zealand are oriented chiefly toward developed democratic nations and emerging Pacific Island economies. Until the late 20th century,New Zealand aligned itself strongly with the United Kingdom and had few bilateral relationships with other countries. From the latter half of the 20th century,Australia has been New Zealand's most important cultural,economic and military partner. Today,the country participates in several multilateral political organisations,including Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation,the Pacific Community,and the Pacific Islands Forum. New Zealand has been described as an emerging power;however,such a claim needs to be considered in the context of its medium-sized economy and limited military capability. The country's major political parties have generally agreed on the broad outlines of foreign policy,and the government has been active in promoting free trade,nuclear disarmament,and arms control.
Jonathan Lucas Hunt is a New Zealand politician,and was New Zealand's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom from 2005 to March 2008. He formerly served as Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives. He is a member of the Labour Party,and was until his retirement in 2005 the longest-serving MP in Parliament. Hunt is a member of the Order of New Zealand,New Zealand's highest civilian honour. Hunt was given the nickname the "Minister for Wine and Cheese" after his well-known liking of the combo.
Neil Douglas Walter is a New Zealand diplomat,and a former Administrator of Tokelau,a territory of New Zealand. He served from February 1988 until 1990,and again from 1 March 2003 to 17 October 2006.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) (Māori:ManatūAorere) is the public service department of New Zealand charged with advising the government on foreign and trade policy,and promoting New Zealand's interests in trade and international relations.
Merwyn "Merv" Norrish was a New Zealand diplomat who served as New Zealand's ambassador to the European Community,acting high commissioner to London,ambassador to the United States,and secretary of Foreign Affairs.
Sir George Robert Laking was a New Zealand diplomat who served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom,Ambassador to the United States,Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Chief Ombudsman.
Terence Christopher O'Brien was a New Zealand diplomat. He led New Zealand in 1993 to a seat on the United Nations Security Council and played a strong role in helping to reshape New Zealand's perceptions of itself as a small but fiercely independent nation in the South Pacific.
Michael Green was a New Zealand diplomat,who in 2007 was expelled as New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji by the country's interim government as part of the 2006 Fijian coup d'état.
Sir Maarten Laurens Wevers is a New Zealand diplomat and public servant,who served as New Zealand's High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea and Ambassador to Japan. He was the Chief Executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2004 to 2012.
Fiji –New Zealand relations refers to foreign relations between New Zealand and Fiji. Relations between these two Pacific countries were previously amicable,and New Zealand has long been a significant development aid partner and economic partner for Fiji.
Balfour Douglas Zohrab was a New Zealand diplomat and public servant.
Penelope Anne Wensley,is a former Australian public servant and diplomat who served as the 25th Governor of Queensland from 2008 to 2014. She was previously High Commissioner to India from 2001 to 2004 and Ambassador to France from 2005 to 2008.
Michael John Powles is a retired New Zealand diplomat. He served as Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1996 to 2001 and as President of UNICEF in 1998.
Anthony Patrick Francis Browne is a retired New Zealand diplomat.
John Peter Larkindale is a former New Zealand public servant and diplomat,whose overseas postings including ambassador to the Russian Federation and high commissioner to Australia.
Linda Te Puni is a diplomat from New Zealand of Māori heritage. She has served as the High Commissioner to the Cook Islands from 2010 until 2011 and Tuvalu beginning in 2016. She has also been Administrator of Tokelau.
Tessa Temata was a New Zealand career diplomat and lawyer who served as High Commissioner to the Cook Islands from February 2019 until her death in December 2019. Temata was the first person of Cook Islander descent to serve as High Commissioner to the Cook Islands,as well as the first female High Commissioner of Pasifika descent to be posted anywhere in Oceania. Prior to her appointment as High Commissioner,Temata had served as a diplomat in Indonesia,Papua New Guinea,Kiribati,and Niue.
Robert Hunter Wade was a New Zealand diplomat.
