Embassy of Israel in Wellington

New Israeli Ambassador Presents Credentials

His Excellency Ambassador Yosef Livne of the State of Israel, presented his letter of credentials to The Governor-General, Lt. Gen. Rt. Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae of New Zealand on Thursday 27 June 2013 at Government House in Wellington.

In his address to the Governor General, Ambassador Livne expressed his wish to further enhance the good relationship between Israel and New Zealand and to explore new opportunities in the fields of science, technology, culture and trade. Ambassador Livne also expressed Israel’s gratitude for having been included in New Zealand’s initiative to bring together a number of nations who share the same characteristics of being small but advanced economies and reiterated Israel’s keen interest in promoting the success of this forum.

Furthermore, Ambassador Livne referred to his recent visit to the British War Cemetery in the city of Krakow in Poland where he came across the graves of Jewish soldiers from the then British Mandate of Palestine lying alongside the graves of New Zealand troops, both having lost their lives as Prisoners of War in World War II. Ambassador Livne stated that it behooves him to promote a study of this common tragedy.

Prior to his appointment as the Ambassador of Israel to New Zealand, Ambassador Livne was Director for the European Union Cooperation Programs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Jerusalem. He also served as Ambassador to Mexico and Non-Resident to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas (2004-2006) as well as Ambassador of Israel to El-Salvador and Non-Resident to Belize (2001-2004 and from 1993-1997).

Ambassador Livne succeeds His Excellency Ambassador Shemi Tzur as the new Ambassador of Israel to New Zealand. He is the second Ambassador of Israel since the re-opening of the embassy in 2010.

Ambassador Livne is married with two children.
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