List of High Commissioners from New Zealand to Tonga
Encyclopedia
The High Commissioner from New Zealand to Tonga is New Zealand
's foremost diplomatic representative
in the Kingdom of Tonga
, and in charge of New Zealand's diplomatic mission
in Tonga.
The High Commission is located in Nukualofa
, Tonga's capital city. New Zealand has maintained a resident High Commissioner
in Tonga since 1976.
As fellow members of the Commonwealth of Nations
, diplomatic relations between New Zealand and Tonga 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 Kingdom of Tonga
Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
, 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 Tonga.
The High Commission is located in Nukualofa
Nukuʻalofa
Nukualofa is the capital of the Kingdom of Tonga. It is located on the north coast of the island of Tongatapu, in the southern most island group of Tonga.-Mythological origins:...
, Tonga'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 Tonga since 1976.
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 Tonga 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.
Non-resident High Commissioners to Tonga, resident in Samoa
- Richard Taylor (1970–1971)
- Gray Thorp (1971–1975)
- 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 :...
(1975–1976)
Resident High Commissioners to Tonga
- Don HunnDon HunnDonald Kent Hunn CNZM is a senior New Zealand diplomat and civil servant. Hunn is the son of Sir Jack Hunn, a former Secretary of Defence, Maori Affairs, and Justice.-Education:...
(1976–1979) - Rod Gates (1979–1981)
- John Brady (1981–1983)
- Priscilla Williams (1983–1985)
- Graeme Ammundsen (1985–1988)
- John Carter (1988–1991)
- Nigel MooreNigel MooreNigel Moore is a British racing driver.-Career:Moore began his racing career in karting, in which he competed until 2007, when he began racing in the Ginetta Junior Championship, which he won with eight victories. He graduated to the Ginetta G50 Cup for 2008, which he also won...
(1991–1995) - Ian HillIan Hill (diplomat)Ian Alexander Hill is a New Zealand diplomat and is the current Ambassador of New Zealand to Russia, presenting his credentials to Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on 12 October 2009.-References:...
(1995–1998) - Brian Smythe (1999–2001)
- Warwick Hawker (2001–2004)
- Michael McBrydeMichael McBrydeMichael McBryde is an Australian rower.- References :...
(2004–2008) - Christine Bogle (2008-2010)
- Jonathan Austin (2010-