List of High Commissioners from New Zealand to Singapore
Encyclopedia
The High Commissioner from New Zealand to Singapore is New Zealand
's foremost diplomatic representative
in the Republic of Singapore
, and in charge of New Zealand's diplomatic mission
in Singapore.
The High Commission is located on Orchard Road
, in the heart of Singapore's Central Area
. New Zealand has maintained a resident High Commissioner
in Singapore since Singapore's independence in 1965, and a resident Head of Mission
since 1955. The High Commissioner to Singapore is concurrently accredited
to the Maldives
.
As fellow members of the Commonwealth of Nations
, diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Singapore are at government
al level, rather than between Heads of State
. Thus, the countries exchange High Commissioners, rather than ambassador
s.
Between 1963 and 1965, Singapore was a member state of Malaysia. During that period, the diplomatic mission to Singapore was subsumed by the greater mission to Malaysia; the High Commissioner to Malaysia was Hunter Wade. However, New Zealand maintained its Commission in Singapore, under the supervision of a Deputy High Commissioner, Brian Lendrum.
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 Republic of Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, 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 Singapore.
The High Commission is located on Orchard Road
Orchard Road
Orchard Road is a road in Singapore that is the retail and entertainment hub of the city-state. It is regularly frequented by the local population as well as being a major tourist attraction...
, in the heart of Singapore's Central Area
Central Area
In Singapore, the Central Area or Central Business District contains the core financial and commercial districts, including eleven urban planning areas, namely Downtown Core, Marina East, Marina South, Museum, Newton, Orchard, Outram, River Valley, Rochor, Singapore River and Straits View as...
. 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 Singapore since Singapore's independence in 1965, 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 1955. The High Commissioner to Singapore 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...
to the Maldives
Maldives
The Maldives , , officially Republic of Maldives , also referred to as the Maldive Islands, is an island nation in the Indian Ocean formed by a double chain of twenty-six atolls oriented north-south off India's Lakshadweep islands, between Minicoy Island and...
.
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 Singapore 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.
Between 1963 and 1965, Singapore was a member state of Malaysia. During that period, the diplomatic mission to Singapore was subsumed by the greater mission to Malaysia; the High Commissioner to Malaysia was Hunter Wade. However, New Zealand maintained its Commission in Singapore, under the supervision of a Deputy High Commissioner, Brian Lendrum.
Commissioners to Singapore
Singapore as a British Colony (until 1963)- Foss ShanahanFoss ShanahanFoss Shanahan was a New Zealand diplomat and public servant. He started in the Customs Department in 1928, then in 1939 joined the Prime Minister’s Department, in the section that became the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.He was Assistant Secretary of the War Cabinet 1940-45,...
(1955 – Jul 1958) Commissioner - Brian Lendrum (Jul 1959 - Dec 1958) acting Commissioner
- R. Lochore (Jan. 1959 - Jul 1959) acting Commissioner
- Dick Hutchens (1959–1962) Commissioner
- Hunter Wade (1962–1963) Commissioner
- Bill Challis (1963) Commissioner
Deputy High Commissioner to Singapore
Singapore as a member state of Malaysia (1963–1965)- Brian Lendrum (1963–1965)
High Commissioners to Singapore
Singapore as an independent state (since 1965)- Brian Lendrum (1965–1966)
- Jim Weir (1966–1970)
- Tim Francis (1970–1974)
- Roger Peren (1974–1976)
- Gerald HensleyGerald HensleyGerald Hensley, CNZM is a former New Zealand Public Servant.He was educated at St Bede’s College and Canterbury University where he took an MA with first class honours in History....
(1976–1980) - Ken Cunningham (1980–1982)
- Judith Trotter (1982–1985)
- Tim Hannah (1985–1987)
- Don Harper (1987–1990)
- Colin Bell (1990–1995)
- Geoff WardGeoff WardGeoff Ward is a current assistant coach for the Boston Bruins of the National Hockey League. His name was engraved on the Stanley Cup with the Boston Bruins in 2011....
(1995–1998) - David Kersey (1998–2001)
- NigeI Moore (2001–2004)
- Richard Grant (2004 – )