List of High Commissioners from New Zealand to Samoa
Encyclopedia
The High Commissioner from New Zealand to Samoa is New Zealand
's foremost diplomatic representative
in the Samoa, and in charge of New Zealand's diplomatic mission
in Samoa.
The High Commission is located in Apia, Samoa's capital city. New Zealand has maintained a resident High Commissioner
in Samoa since the country's independence in 1962 (from New Zealand). The High Commissioner to Samoa is concurrently accredited
as the Consul-General to American Samoa
, in which capacity he or she serves under the Ambassador to the United States.
As fellow members of the Commonwealth of Nations
, diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Samoa 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 Samoa, 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 Samoa.
The High Commission is located in Apia, Samoa'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 Samoa since the country's independence in 1962 (from New Zealand). The High Commissioner to Samoa is concurrently accredited
Dual accreditation
Dual accreditation is the practice in diplomacy of a country granting two separate responsibilities to a single diplomat. One prominent form of dual accreditation is for a diplomat to serve as the ambassador to two countries concurrently...
as the Consul-General to American Samoa
American Samoa
American Samoa is an unincorporated territory of the United States located in the South Pacific Ocean, southeast of the sovereign state of Samoa...
, in which capacity he or she serves under the Ambassador to the United States.
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 Samoa 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 Samoa
- John Wright (1962–1964)
- Paul Gabites (1964–1968)
- Richard Taylor (1968–1971) (also accredited to Tonga)
- Gray Thorp (1971–1975) (also accredited to Tonga)
- Paul CottonPaul Cotton (diplomat)Paul Cotton was New Zealand's High Commissioner to Samoa and the non-resident High Commissioner to Tonga from 1975-76.- References :...
(1975–1977) (also accredited to Tonga) - Don Harper (1977–1979)
- Doug Law (1979–1981)
- David Caffin (1981–1983)
- Michael Mansfield (1983–1986)
- Brian Absolum (1986–1988)
- Dick Martin (1988–1991)
- Adrian Simcock (1991–1994)
- Peter Heenan (1994–1997)
- Peter Hamilton (1997–1999)
- Mac PriceMac PriceMacalister "Mac" Price, , was a senior New Zealand Foreign Affairs official, who held diplomatic postings in Japan, Australia, Indonesia, the South Pacific, Samoa, and Malaysia....
(1999–2001) - Penelope Ridings (2001–2004)
- John Adank (2004 - )