The growing economic, cultural, diplomatic, sporting, and tourism links between India and New Zealand were the highlight of the end-of-year celebration between the two countries organized by India Trade Alliance in Auckland on Monday.

The keynote address was delivered by the New Zealand High Commissioner designate to India, Joanna Kempkers. Speaking at her first public event to delighted ITA members, Ms. Kempkers said, The High Commissioner designate, using the analogy of an Acorn, told the audience that ‘Just like an acorn being the symbol of NZ India relationship, I would like to nurture it, feed it and see it grow like an oak tree during my tenure in Delhi’.

Earlier welcoming over 100 ITA members and stakeholders, ITA General Secretary said, “It is time for New Zealand businesses to take the Indian market seriously. While our common connections of Commonwealth, food, film and cricket are good connectors, we need to put more emphasis on the people to people connections and the doors they can open.”

New Zealand First Member of Parliament Mahesh Bindra also congratulated ITA on a very successful year and encouraged the members to stay focused and think of India as a long-term partner where results will come to those who are tenacious.

Thanking the attendees, the Co-Deputy Chairman of ITA, Dr Don Brash, said that ITA was particularly pleased that Ms Kempkers had made a gathering of ITA members and supporters her first official engagement since her appointment.

The event was hosted by PwC and attendees included the CEO of EMA and industry partner of ITA Kim Campbell, senior representatives from ANZ, BNZ, ASB, Westpac banks, government agencies including NZTE and MFAT, education institutions, arts and culture sector, exporters and importers.

Earlier in November, ITA members conveyed their confidence in the board by electing the existing board with the addition of Chandan Ohri, Managing Partner – IBM Global Business Services for New Zealand, as the Treasurer.

|  A India Trade alliance rrelease  |  Dec 13, 2016  |

Foreign Minister Murray McCully travels to New York tomorrow for UN Security Council meetings.

“This will be my final visit to New York during our two years on the United Nations Security Council,” Mr McCully says.

“We are focused on working right up to the last day and while in New York I will participate in the quarterly Open Debate on the Middle East, which will include a briefing from outgoing UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and a Ministerial-level debate on Non-Proliferation hosted by the new Foreign Minister of Spain.

“I will also meet with incoming UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the head of UN Peacekeeping Operations, Hervé Ladsous.

“While New Zealand’s tenure on the Council is drawing to a close, many of the issues we have championed during our term will continue to be a focus for our foreign policy effort in the coming years.

“This visit is about ensuring that New Zealand is well positioned to continue pushing for top-level UN reform and other issues that matter to small states as we transition off the Security Council,” Mr McCully says.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today named diplomat Joanna Kempkers as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to India. Ms Kempkers will be based in New Delhi and cross-accredited to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.

“As members of the Asia-Pacific region, New Zealand and India have a close relationship,” Mr McCully says.

“India is our second largest source of skilled migrants and international students.

“Two-way goods and services trade exceeds $2 billion, and the Government has high expectations for the further development of India as a key economic and political partner for New Zealand.

Ms Kempkers is currently the Director of Protocol Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and has previously served as High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully today named diplomat Andrew Jenks as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Spain.

“Spain is an important partner for New Zealand and a key member of the European Union,” Mr McCully says.

“Spain is a base for a number of NZ companies operating in the region, and there is scope to further develop our trade and economic relationship.

“We also share political and security interests through our cooperation on the United Nations Security Council over the past two years, and our participation in operations such as the UN mission in Afghanistan.”

Mr Jenks has previously been posted to Ottawa, Jakarta and Paris. As Ambassador to Spain he will also be accredited to Andorra.

His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan will make an official visit to New Zealand from November 28-30, Prime Minister John Key announced today.

“I am pleased to welcome King Abdullah’s reciprocal visit to New Zealand, which follows the 2013 visit to Jordan by our previous Governor General,” says Mr Key.

“New Zealand and Jordan have a strong bilateral relationship, one which has grown even closer through our time serving together on the Security Council last year.

“King Abdullah’s visit will be an opportunity to hear Jordan’s important perspectives on Middle East issues, including Syria, the Middle East Peace Process, Iraq and broader efforts to counter ISIL.”

King Abdullah and his delegation arrive in Wellington on November 28 for a series of events, including an official welcome at Government House, a State dinner hosted by the Governor General, a wreath laying at Pukeahu National War Memorial and talks with the Governor General, Prime Minister and Ministers.

King Abdullah, a former military helicopter pilot and commander of Jordan’s Special Forces, will also visit the New Zealand Defence Force’s Battle Training Facility in Ardmore.