List of High Commissioners from New Zealand to Papua New Guinea
Encyclopedia
The High Commissioner from New Zealand to Papua New Guinea is New Zealand
's foremost diplomatic representative
in the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
, and in charge of New Zealand's diplomatic mission
in Papua New Guinea.
The High Commission is located in Port Moresby
, Papua New Guinea's capital city. New Zealand has maintained a resident High Commissioner
in Papua New Guinea since Papua New Guinea's independence in 1975, and a resident Head of Mission
since 1974.
As fellow members of the Commonwealth of Nations
, diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea are at government
al level, rather than between Heads of State
. Thus, the countries exchange High Commissioners, rather than ambassador
s.
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
's foremost diplomatic representative
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
in the Independent State of Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
, and in charge of New Zealand's diplomatic mission
Diplomatic mission
A diplomatic mission is a group of people from one state or an international inter-governmental organisation present in another state to represent the sending state/organisation in the receiving state...
in Papua New Guinea.
The High Commission is located in Port Moresby
Port Moresby
Port Moresby , or Pot Mosbi in Tok Pisin, is the capital and largest city of Papua New Guinea . It is located on the shores of the Gulf of Papua, on the southeastern coast of the island of New Guinea, which made it a prime objective for conquest by the Imperial Japanese forces during 1942–43...
, Papua New Guinea's capital city. New Zealand has maintained a resident High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
in Papua New Guinea since Papua New Guinea's independence in 1975, and a resident Head of Mission
Head of Mission
In diplomatic usage, Head of Mission or Chief of Mission from the French "Chef de Mission Diplomatique" is the generic term used to refer to the head of a diplomatic representation, such as an Ambassador, High Commissioner, Nuncio, Chargé d'affaires, Permanent Representative, and sometimes to a...
since 1974.
As fellow members of the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
, diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Papua New Guinea are at government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
al level, rather than between Heads of State
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
. Thus, the countries exchange High Commissioners, rather than ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
s.
High Commissioners to Papua New Guinea
- Brian Poananga (1975–1976)
- Michael Mansfield (1976–1979)
- Alison Stokes (1979–1982)
- Tim Hannah (1982–1985)
- Gerald McGhie (1985–1988)
- Hilary Willberg (1988–1989)
- John HayesJohn Hayes (NZ politician)John Bernard Hayes, ONZM is a New Zealand politician and diplomat. He became a MP in 2005, representing the electorate of Wairarapa for the National Party.- Career :...
(1989–1993) - Maarten WeversMaarten WeversMaarten Laurens Wevers, CNZM is a New Zealand diplomat and public servant, who served as New Zealand's High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea and Ambassador to Japan...
(1993–1994) - John Clarke (1994–1997)
- Nigel Moore (1997–2001)
- Chris Seed (2001–2003)
- Laurie Markes (2003 - )