Michael Green (diplomat)
Encyclopedia
Michael Green is a New Zealand
diplomat, who in 2007 was expelled as New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji by the country's interim government.
Green joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1970, after graduating from the University of Canterbury
. He was first posted to Bangkok as second secretary in 1972, before returning to Wellington three years later. In 1978, Green was posted as first secretary to New Zealand's mission to the United Nations in New York. In 1980, Green was posted to New Zealand's Embassy in Beijing.
In 1988, Green was appointed director of the External Assessments Bureau
, a section of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, where he spent six years. In 1997, Green succeeded Tim Groser
as New Zealand's Ambassador to Indonesia.
Following his return from Jakarta, Green was appointed Deputy Secretary at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
, responsible for New Zealand's security policy and responsibilities for the Americas, North Asia, and South and South-East Asia.
Green was appointed as New Zealand's High Commissioner
to Fiji
in December 2004.
In June 2007, Green was expelled from Fiji by the country's post-coup
interim government, with Prime Minister
Frank Bainimarama
accusing him of interfering in the country's domestic affairs. In addition, New Zealand police officers were refused Fijian visas to escort Green back to New Zealand, and a Fairfax Media
journalist, Michael Field, was detained then deported by Fijian immigration authorities when he arrived to cover the story.
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...
diplomat, who in 2007 was expelled as New Zealand High Commissioner to Fiji by the country's interim government.
Green joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1970, after graduating from the University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
. He was first posted to Bangkok as second secretary in 1972, before returning to Wellington three years later. In 1978, Green was posted as first secretary to New Zealand's mission to the United Nations in New York. In 1980, Green was posted to New Zealand's Embassy in Beijing.
In 1988, Green was appointed director of the External Assessments Bureau
External Assessments Bureau
The National Assessments Bureau is one of New Zealand's intelligence agencies. It was formerly known as the External Assessments Bureau when it was renamed as its current status in 2010...
, a section of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, where he spent six years. In 1997, Green succeeded Tim Groser
Tim Groser
Timothy John Groser is a current New Zealand politician and former diplomat.-Early years:He was born in Perth, Scotland and came to New Zealand with his parents in 1958...
as New Zealand's Ambassador to Indonesia.
Following his return from Jakarta, Green was appointed Deputy Secretary at the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade is the New Zealand Government ministry responsible for promoting New Zealand's interests in trade and international relations....
, responsible for New Zealand's security policy and responsibilities for the Americas, North Asia, and South and South-East Asia.
Green was appointed as New Zealand's 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:...
to Fiji
Fiji
Fiji , officially the Republic of Fiji , is an island nation in Melanesia in the South Pacific Ocean about northeast of New Zealand's North Island...
in December 2004.
In June 2007, Green was expelled from Fiji by the country's post-coup
2006 Fijian coup d'état
The Fijian coup d'état of December 2006 occurred as a continuation of the pressure which had been building since the military unrest of the 2000 Fijian coup d'état and 2005-2006 Fijian political crisis....
interim government, with Prime Minister
Prime Minister of Fiji
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Fiji is the head of government of Fiji. The Prime Minister was appointed by the President under the terms of the now-suspended 1997 constitution....
Frank Bainimarama
Frank Bainimarama
Commodore Josaia Voreqe Bainimarama, CF, MSD, OStJ, Fijian Navy, known commonly as Frank Bainimarama and sometimes by the chiefly title Ratu , is a Fijian naval officer and politician. He is the Commander of the Fijian Military Forces and, as of April 2009, Prime Minister...
accusing him of interfering in the country's domestic affairs. In addition, New Zealand police officers were refused Fijian visas to escort Green back to New Zealand, and a Fairfax Media
Fairfax Media
Fairfax Media Limited is one of Australia's largest diversified media companies. The group's operations include newspapers, magazines, radios and digital media operating in Australia and New Zealand. Fairfax Media was founded by the Fairfax family as John Fairfax and Sons, later to become John...
journalist, Michael Field, was detained then deported by Fijian immigration authorities when he arrived to cover the story.