New envoys to present their credentials
Envoys for Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tanzania, Portugal and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea will present
their credentials to the Governor-General, Lt Gen Rt Hon Sir Jerry Mateparae, at Government House in Wellington
tomorrow.
The ceremony, which will include a Māori ceremonial challenge and a military guard of honour provided by the Royal New
Zealand Air Force, begins at 11am.
The High Commissioner for Solomon Islands, HE Mrs Joy Kere, is a public servant and also served as a Councillor on the
Solomon Islands National Peace Council. She holds a Master’s degree in International Studies: Peace and Conflict
Resolutions from the University of Queensland in Australia. Mrs Kere is based in Wellington.
The Ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, HE Mr Cristiano da Costa, has had a career in government and
education. He was a lecturer at the Universidade da Paz in Dili and also served as a Vice–Minister in the Timor-Leste
Government. Mr da Costa is based in Wellington.
The High Commissioner for the United Republic of Tanzania, HE Mrs Salome Sijaona, had a career in public service at both
a local and national level and economics prior to becoming a diplomat. Mrs Sijaona is based in Tokyo where she also
serves as Ambassador to Japan.
The Ambassador of the Republic of Portugal, HE Mr Paulo Cunha Alves, is a career diplomat. He holds a Master’s degree in
International Relations from the Technical University of Lisbon and prior to his current appointment, was Portugal’s
Consul-General in Boston in the United States. Mr Alves is based in Canberra, where he also serves as Ambassador to
Australia.
The Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, HE Mr Ri Jong Ryul, is a graduate of Pyongyang University
for International Relations and Guiana University. Prior to his current appointment, he was Director for Protocol
Affairs of the Central Committee of the Worker’s Party of Korea. Mr Ryul is based in Jakarta, where he also serves as
Ambassador to Indonesia.
Ends