Rt Hon Winston Peters
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister of Foreign Affairs
7 December 2017 MEDIA STATEMENT
High Commissioner to Nauru appointed
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has announced New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to Nauru will be career
diplomat Nicci Simmonds.
“New Zealand and Nauru enjoy a good relationship and the High Commissioner will play an important role in strengthening
our engagement around mutual interests,” says Mr Peters.
“New Zealand contributes approximately $2.3 million in development assistance to Nauru each year with a focus on
building greater self-reliance through improving educational achievement, protecting Pacific fisheries and increasing
access to renewable energy.
“New Zealand is also looking forward to Nauru hosting the Pacific Island Forum Leaders’ Meeting in 2018, and to
attending Nauru’s milestone celebration of 50 years of independence at the end of January 2018.”
Ms Simmonds, who is Unit Manager in the Pacific Branch of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and manages the
Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Nauru team, will be based in New Zealand.