WELLINGTON, New Zealand – On July 16, 2025, Her Excellency Jane J. Chigiyal officially presented her Letter of Credence to H.E. the Right Honorable Dame Cindy Kiro, GNCM, QSO, Governor-General and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Realm of New Zealand at the Government House as the first Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary cross-accredited from the Commonwealth of Australia.
Ambassador Chigiyal and her delegation were greeted and introduced to the Maori elders. They were welcomed with the powhiri (Maori Welcoming Tradition). Ambassador and her delegation were escorted through the Governor-General’s Guard into Government House for the Presentation of Credentials (PoC) Ceremony.
In order of precedence, Ambassador Chigiyal was the first among the non-resident Ambassadors to deliver her statement and her Letter of Credence. She was followed by the Ambassadors of the Republic of Maldives and Turkmenistan.
In her statement, Ambassador Chigiyal highlighted matters of mutual interest such as people to people exchange, the adverse impacts of climate change, ocean and biodiversity management and conservation, private sector development among others. She concluded her statement by saying, “I am excited to start my new assignment in partnership with all stakeholders in New Zealand.”
In her responding statement, the Governor-General congratulated the Ambassadors on their appointments. She further expressed her strong desire to work closely with all the Ambassadors to elevate the relationship to a new height.
A cultural tradition is part of the accreditation program where each Ambassador was asked to respond to a song by the Governor-General and her staff. Being the first Ambassador to New Zealand, Ambassador Chigiyal presented a chant for voyagers and the welcoming party. It marked the end of the PoC ceremony. Ambassador Chigiyal was accompanied by First Secretary Carl and members of her family.
The Ambassador had the opportunity to pay a courtesy call on the Rt. Honorable Winston Peters, Minister of Foreign Affairs – preparation and issues for the 54PIFLM was discussed. Ambassador Chigiyal conveyed her government’s appreciation for New Zealand’s leadership and partnership on human capacity building, social and economic development, environmental management and conservation, the value of UN’s presence for the North Pacific.
The cross-accreditation to the New Zealand Government marks another milestone under the Simina-Palik Administration in deepening and strengthening relations within the Pacific family and the Global Community.
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