Ambassador Ryan congratulated our group on the support it provides to our members throughout Aotearoa, New Zealand.

Read Ambassador Ryan's remarks.

Is mór an onóir dom a bheith an chéad Ambasadóir na hÉireann chun na Nua Shéalainne. Ba mhór an dúshlán é, ach táim ag tnúth go mór leis is déanfaidh mé mo dhícheall. I am deeply honoured to serve as the first resident Ambassador of Ireland to New Zealand.

Ireland is fortunate to enjoy special ties of kinship and history with New Zealand and with the many New Zealanders of Irish heritage. Our small island nations share many values, as reflected in our long-standing commitment to the United Nations where we work together and with other like-minded nations to advance fundamental freedoms, the rule of law and respect for human rights. Our countries are to be found in the frontline of global efforts on disarmament, peacekeeping and assistance to our partner developing countries.

Ireland and New Zealand also share similarities in terms of our economic development, as small island states with open, export-driven low regulation economies. While trade in goods and services between our countries is growing, I believe we can further increase this figure in the coming period, particularly against the backdrop of the trade negotiations between the European Union and New Zealand. We will work closely with our trade promotion agencies, their New Zealand partners and the business community to help to facilitate increased trade and to build closer business links.

In the cultural sphere, we enjoy close ties and I will be working to highlight collaborative opportunities across New Zealand for Ireland's unique language, sport, literature, dance and music. While our nations are rivals on the rugby field, I have no doubt that there will be many opportunities for us to collaborate closely in the sporting, cultural and education sectors.

I hope during my time as Ambassador to New Zealand to contribute to the further development of the strong ties between our two nations. New Zealand is also opening an Embassy in Ireland at this time and I look forward to working with the first resident New Zealand Ambassador in Dublin.

In the course of my role, I will be looking to build on the exemplary work of our successive Honorary Consuls, including the incumbent Ms Niamh Mahon & her colleague Vice-Consul Denise Flanagan. I look forward to meeting many members of the Irish Community & Friends of Ireland over the coming period. I would very much welcome your ideas for potential collaboration so please do not hesitate to get in touch with us via this website.

As the famous Maori language phrase reminds us;

He aha te mea nui o te ao? He Tāngata, He Tāngata, He Tāngata. Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa. (Translated: What is the most important thing in the world? It is the people, it is the people, it is the people. Therefore, Greetings, Greetings, Greetings to all.

Thank you - Go raibh maith agat.

Peter Ryan
Ambassador of Ireland