List of High Commissioners from New Zealand to the Solomon Islands
Encyclopedia
The High Commissioner from New Zealand to the Solomon Islands is New Zealand
's foremost diplomatic representative
in the Solomon Islands
, and in charge of New Zealand's diplomatic mission
in the Solomon Islands.
The High Commission is located in Honiara
, the Solomon Islands' capital city. New Zealand has maintained a resident High Commissioner
in the Solomon Islands since 1978.
As fellow members of the Commonwealth of Nations
, diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the Solomon Islands are at government
al level, rather than between Heads of State
. Thus, the countries exchange High Commissioners, rather than ambassador
s.
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...
's foremost diplomatic representative
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
in the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
, and in charge of New Zealand's diplomatic mission
Diplomatic mission
A diplomatic mission is a group of people from one state or an international inter-governmental organisation present in another state to represent the sending state/organisation in the receiving state...
in the Solomon Islands.
The High Commission is located in Honiara
Honiara
Honiara, population 49,107 , 78,190 , is the capital of the Solomon Islands and of Guadalcanal Province, although it is a separately administered town...
, the Solomon Islands' capital city. New Zealand has maintained a resident 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:...
in the Solomon Islands since 1978.
As fellow members of the Commonwealth of Nations
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
, diplomatic relations between New Zealand and the Solomon Islands are at government
Government
Government refers to the legislators, administrators, and arbitrators in the administrative bureaucracy who control a state at a given time, and to the system of government by which they are organized...
al level, rather than between Heads of State
Head of State
A head of state is the individual that serves as the chief public representative of a monarchy, republic, federation, commonwealth or other kind of state. His or her role generally includes legitimizing the state and exercising the political powers, functions, and duties granted to the head of...
. Thus, the countries exchange High Commissioners, rather than ambassador
Ambassador
An ambassador is the highest ranking diplomat who represents a nation and is usually accredited to a foreign sovereign or government, or to an international organization....
s.
Non-resident Commissioners, resident in Papua New Guinea
- Michael Mansfield (1977–1978)
High Commissioners to the Solomon Islands
- Graeme Ammundsen (1978–1980)
- Mary Chamberlin (1980–1983)
- Rodney Denham (1983–1986)
- Alison Pearce (1986–1988)
- Bernard Hillier (1988–1992)
- Tia BarrettTia BarrettTe Rongotoa "Tia" Barrett was a New Zealand diplomat of indigenous Ngati Maniapoto and Waikato extraction from the Tainui iwi. He was director of the Māori Policy Unit at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade ....
(1992–1996) - Rhys Richards (1996–1999)
- Nick Hurley (1999–2002)
- Heather Riddell (2002–2004)
- Brian Sanders (2004–2006)
- Deborah Panckhurst (2006 - )