Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced the appointment of diplomat Mary Thurston as Ambassador to Poland, with accreditation to the Ukraine.

“Poland and New Zealand share a long history and warm relationship based around migration, common values, and international cooperation,” Mr McCully says.

“Poland is an increasingly important member of the EU and Poland’s expanding economy offers opportunities for New Zealand business, particularly in education services and agri-business.”

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced diplomat David Nicholson as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Samoa.

“Samoa is a close and long-standing friend, and an important partner for New Zealand in the Pacific,” Mr McCully says.

“Our relationship is founded on the Treaty of Friendship and strong ongoing economic, political and cultural links. We also work closely together on a range of regional initiatives and through the Pacific Forum.”

Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee and Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully today announced that HMNZS Wellington will depart for the Southern Ocean on Sunday from Dunedin to monitor the annual fishing season in the Ross Sea region.

“New Zealand is working closely with international partners to stamp out illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing in the Southern Ocean,” Mr Brownlee says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully says that the Japanese whaling fleet’s departure for the Southern Ocean defies international opinion and serves no legitimate scientific purpose.

“New Zealand has long-standing and deep-seated concerns about whaling in the Southern Ocean and we urge Japan to reconsider this year’s hunt,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will travel to the Middle East next week to meet with leaders and counterparts in Jordan, Israel, and the occupied Palestinian territories and to attend the Sir Bani Yas Forum in Abu Dhabi.

“New Zealand continues to serve as a member of the United Nations Security Council until the end of the year and we remain focused on doing what we can to help address the current conflicts in the Middle East,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today welcomed the announcement that US Secretary of State John Kerry will visit New Zealand next week.

“The upcoming visit by Secretary Kerry is a valuable opportunity to canvass the many positive developments in the New Zealand – US relationship this year, including the recent visit by Vice President Biden in July,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today welcomed the release of the Auditor-General’s inquiry into the Saudi Arabia Food Security Partnership.

“Having looked at all the relevant documentation and having spoken to all relevant parties the Auditor-General’s report states categorically that there is no evidence of bribery, corruption, or facilitation payments, as claimed by the Opposition,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today hailed a breakthrough agreement that will create the world’s largest Marine Protected Area in the Ross Sea region of the Antarctic.

“At its annual meeting in Hobart this week, the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) unanimously agreed to a New Zealand-United States proposal to establish a marine protected area in the Ross Sea,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced Valerie Adams as New Zealand’s first Pacific Sports Ambassador.

“The new role of Pacific Sports Ambassador will allow New Zealand to further develop our strong sporting links with the region,” Mr McCully says.

“Valerie Adams is uniquely qualified to carry out this important role. She has strong connections to the Pacific through her Tongan heritage and is one of New Zealand’s most successful and admired athletes.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully and Internal Affairs Minister Peter Dunne have announced that the NZ Fire Service will provide training support to the Syrian White Helmets civil defence organisation.

“The Syrian Civil Defence Organisation, known as the White Helmets, have helped save thousands of people affected by the ongoing violence in Syria,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has appointed diplomat Lyndal Walker as New Zealand’s new Ambassador to the Netherlands, to be based in The Hague.

“The Netherlands is an important partner for New Zealand in Europe and The Hague is the seat of multilateral institutions like the International Court of Justice,” Mr McCully says.

“The Netherlands is our fifth largest trading partner in the European Union, and is a strong source of foreign investment into New Zealand.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced the appointment of diplomat Michael Burrell as High Commissioner to South Africa.

"New Zealand is placing increasing priority on our relations with Africa," Mr McCully says. 

"Our relationship with South Africa is based on our shared Commonwealth history, respect for democracy, strong links between our people, and close sporting ties.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will welcome today Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop to New Zealand, for the second of their twice-yearly Foreign Ministers’ Consultations. 

“These Consultations are an opportunity to discuss issues and share views across a range of foreign policy issues,” Mr McCully says. 

“Our talks will focus on bilateral issues ahead of the annual Australia – New Zealand Leaders’ Meeting early next year, as well as our ongoing work together in the Pacific.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has welcomed Papua New Guinea’s Foreign Minister Rimbink Pato to New Zealand for formal foreign policy talks today.

“PNG is an important partner for New Zealand in the Pacific and our second largest trading partner in the region,” Mr McCully says.

“During Minister Pato’s visit we will discuss PNG’s plans for the hosting of APEC 2018 and how New Zealand can best support this undertaking. Our talks will also focus on regional trade and political issues.”

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced that New Zealand will provide $1 million to help meet the humanitarian needs of people affected by the military campaign to liberate Mosul from ISIL control. This funding will be provided through the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

New Zealand will also support the United Nations’ work to coordinate the humanitarian response in Mosul, by funding an information management and mapping specialist to help track the flows of internally displaced persons. 

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has announced Don Higgins as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Solomon Islands.

“New Zealand has a close relationship with the Solomon Islands, characterised by regular political dialogue, a strong development partnership, and growing links between our populations,” Mr McCully says.

“We are proud of New Zealand’s ongoing contribution to security in Solomon Islands through the Regional Assistance Mission to Solomon Islands (RAMSI).

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has named diplomat Wendy Matthews as New Zealand’s new Ambassador to Viet Nam.

“In recent times, relations between New Zealand and Viet Nam have gone from strength to strength,” Mr McCully says.

“Cooperation between our two countries is expanding in areas such as agri-business, clean technologies and disaster management, aviation, tourism, defence and education.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today announced diplomat Lucy Duncan as New Zealand’s first resident Ambassador to Colombia.

“New Zealand’s relationship with Colombia is growing fast, and the establishment of an Embassy in Bogota will allow us to expand our links into Latin America,” Mr McCully says.   

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will travel to China this weekend for discussions with his Chinese counterpart Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

“New Zealand attaches major importance to our relationship with China, as one of our largest export markets and as a partner in the Asia-Pacific region,” Mr McCully says. 

Foreign Minister Murray McCully will travel to Brussels this week for the signing of a new partnership agreement with the European Union and to attend a conference on the future of Afghanistan.

“The Partnership Agreement on Relations and Cooperation (PARC) commits the EU and NZ to co-operation and dialogue across a broad range of issues,” Mr McCully says.

“The PARC represents a significant step forward in New Zealand’s relationship with the EU and it is the precursor to a free trade agreement.”

Foreign Minister Murray McCully has expressed his appreciation for the thorough work of the independent investigation into the downing of Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 in July 2014, saying it is an important step towards accountability. 

“The downing of the flight cost 298 lives, including a New Zealand citizen and a New Zealand resident. We remain committed to ensuring there is accountability for this tragic incident,” Mr McCully says.