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New Zealand Embassy Seoul, South Korea

06-03-13

Korean business leaders at New Zealand PGA in Queenstown

President JK Shin of Samsung Electronics and Dongwon Group Chairman Jae-Chul Kim recently participated in New Zealand PGA Championship competitions held in Queenstown on 2 and 3 March. Both were invited by Prime Minister John Key.

01-03-13

Prime Minister Key congratulatory phone call to President Park

New Zealand Prime Minister John Key extended warm congratulations to President Park Geun-hye on her taking office, during a phone conversation on Wednesday 27 February.

28-02-13

Kiwi food products hit Busan

Eleven New Zealand food and beverage companies joined forces on 26 February to share New Zealand recipes and products with over 180 experts from the Korean food and beverage industry, including top chefs, menu developers and buyers from major hotels, restaurant chains and catering companies, retailers/distributors, food manufacturing companies, journalists and power bloggers. Many came from outside of Busan to check out the Kiwi cuisine, including Gyeongju and Ulsan.

27-02-13

Ralph Hotere passes away

Ralph Hotere, one of New Zealand’s most prominent artists, passed away on 24 February. Born in Mitimiti, Northland in 1931 (Te Aupouri iwi) Hotere spent much of his professional career in Port Chalmers and Dunedin. He was known for his strong style in paintings and sculpture, often working closely with New Zealand’s prominent poets. Hotere was a member of the Order of New Zealand, the country’s highest honour.

25-02-13

Republic of Korea's eighteenth President, Park Geun-hye

Park Geun-hye was today (25 February) inaugurated as the Republic of Korea's eighteenth President, the first woman to hold the role. Ambassador Patrick Rata represented New Zealand at the ceremony. Held on the grounds of the National Assembly, it was attended by Korean and visiting dignitaries, as well as a crowd of over seventy thousand.

22-02-13

New Zealand Buttercup Squash Council reception

On 21 February, the New Zealand Embassy provided the venue for the New Zealand Buttercup Squash Council’s reception to celebrate the beginning of the buttercup squash season and launch of the Council’s Buttercup Squash brand in the Korean market. Mr Don Turner, Chairman, together with Korean market representative, Latitude 45, invited 30 key Korean importers, distributors, retailers, journalists and power bloggers to the event. Ambassador Patrick Rata and Trade Commissioner Ryan Freer attended and delivered welcome speeches.

21-02-13

Ambassador hosts Prime Minister’s Fellows

Former and current National Assembly members Park Jin, Na Kyung-won, Lee Hye-hoon and Kim Se-yeon reminisced about time spent in New Zealand as Prime Minister’s Fellows, during a reunion lunch hosted by Ambassador Rata at the New Zealand Residence on 19 February. The Fellows shared fond memories of their visits, comparing stories of places visited and the wide-ranging connections between the two countries.

14-02-13

Ambassador congratulates Special Olympics New Zealand’s World Winter Games team

Ambassador Patrick Rata has sent the following message to congratulate the New Zealand team on their performance at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in PyeongChang.

Dear Brian

I am writing to congratulate you and the New Zealand team on your wonderful performance at the 2013 Special Olympics World Winter Games in PyeongChang. My Embassy colleagues and I were truly proud of your participation and achievements in Korea.

13-02-13

Ideas exchanged to bring New Zealand-Korea SMEs together

On 12 February, Ambassador Patrick Rata hosted Executive Vice Chairman Song Jae-Hee of the Korea Federation of Small and Medium Business (Kbiz), for lunch at the Residence.

13-02-13

New Zealand condemns reported North Korean nuclear test

Minister of Foreign Affairs Murray McCully issued a statement condemning North Korea’s nuclear test on 13 February.