H.E. Jesus S. Domingo, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines, presented his Credentials to the Governor-General of New Zealand, H.E. Lieutenant General The Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, GNZM, QSO, at Government House in Wellington on 20 April 2016.

The official ceremony for the Presentation of Credentials commenced with the Māori traditional welcome ceremony or pōwhiri, a distinctive part of the Presentation of Credentials ceremony in New Zealand. The traditional welcome was followed by the inspection of the New Zealand Defence Force Guard of Honour by Ambassador Domingo accompanied by the Guard Commander.

Ambassador Domingo was received by the Chief of Protocol of New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Ms. Joanna Kempkers, who formally presented him to the Governor-General in Government House.

In Ambassador Domingo’s speech, he conveyed the warm greetings of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, H.E. Benigno S. Aquino III, to Governor-General Mateparae. The Ambassador also stated that it was his privilege to begin his tenure as Ambassador of the Philippines to New Zealand on the year that marks the 50th Anniversary of Philippines-New Zealand Diplomatic Relations. He further expressed that the Philippines will continue to build on the strong foundation of friendship and partnership with New Zealand and will work closely with the 50,000 strong “Kiwinoy” (Filipino-New Zealand) community numbering over 1% of the total national population.