Trevor Matheson’s term as the Ambassador for New Zealand seems to be coming to an end as New Zealand’s Foreign Affairs Minister Vaovasamanaia Winston Peters has announced the changes.

He has appointed four new diplomats for Samoa, Canada, the European Union, and NATO.

Si’alei van Toor will be New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Samoa and will be accredited as New Zealand’s Consul-General to American Samoa.

“These four appointees are all senior diplomats from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and they will seek to promote New Zealand’s interests and pursue a more secure and prosperous world,” Vaovasamanaia said.

In the announcement made by Vaovasamanaia, Cecile Hillyer will be the new High Commissioner to Canada, Simon Draper as New Zealand’s Ambassador to the European Union and NATO, and Linda Te Puni will become New Zealand’s next ambassador to the Caribbean community based in Wellington, and will be accredited to the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States and all 14 CARICOM member states.

Si’alei van Toor is a long-serving diplomat and is the current New Zealand Ambassador to Russia.

According to Vaivasamanaia, Ms van Toor brings a wealth of experience to the role having previously served as Senior Trade Adviser to the Minister for Trade and Export Growth and has held various senior positions at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  

She has also had diplomatic postings to Beijing and served as Director New Zealand Commerce and Industry Office in Taipei.