Michael Swain

En route from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Ministry of Defence, via the NZ summer holiday. Opinions mine, RTs/likes ≠ endorsements.

[Michael Swain @MichaelSwainNZ]

My farewell call on @GovGeneralNZ was a wonderful way to conclude three years in Protocol and 25 years @MFATgovtNZ. In February I take up my new role as Deputy Secretary - Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Defence. Happy and safe holidays, everyone.

[New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade @MFATNZ]

A minute’s silence will be observed at 2.11pm on Monday 16 December in honour of the victims of the Whakaari White Island eruption. Press release from New Zealand Prime Minister @jacindaardern https://t.co/zgJSVjyiW6 #WhiteIslandEruption

[New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade @MFATNZ]

New Zealand Prime Minister @jacindaardern statement on White Island eruption to @NZParliament #whiteislanderuption https://t.co/gGdiCSXpkH

[New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade @MFATNZ]

.@NZcivildefence are now coordinating the all-of-govt response to Whakaari/White Island, with @nzpolice leading the search and rescue operation. Updates ➡️ https://t.co/OZvAs8q5Lk #whiteislanderuption

[Michael Swain @MichaelSwainNZ]

My brilliant colleague here in Protocol is off to be a brilliant High Commissioner. Sarah Lee will be our first female head of mission in Africa - with @vuyiswatulelo here in Wellington, mana wahine at both ends of 🇳🇿🇿🇦diplomacy.

[New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade @MFATNZ]

Announcement of new High Commissioner in South Africa. @NZinSouthAfrica Press release from New Zealand Foreign Affairs minister @winstonpeters👇https://t.co/pUsb59k3k4

[Michael Swain @MichaelSwainNZ]

Thank you, @AmisoCosta! And for all of your hard work establishing the mission here. All credit to my dedicated colleagues in Protocol for enabling that.

[Cristiano da Costa @AmisoCosta]

My last visit to @MFATgovtNZ building today, to farewell the Chief of Protocol @MichaelSwainNZ . I recall 5 1/2 years ago, my first visit was done for a courtesy call to former Chief of Protocol Caroline B. 🙏 to Protocol Division for the support given during my posting in NZ.

[Michael Swain @MichaelSwainNZ]

Un encuentro muy agradable, con un diplomático muy distinguido. Nau mai, haere mai, bienvenido, @PerezBravoA!

[Alfredo Pérez Bravo @PerezBravoA]

Hoy me reuní con el Jefe de Protocolo del Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y Comercio de Nueva Zelandia, emb @MichaelSwainNZ , a quien presenté la copia de la Carta Credencial que me acredita como embajador de México. Fue un encuentro muy agradable. @m_ebrard @JulianVenturaV

[Michael Swain @MichaelSwainNZ]

A fantastic welcome from Hawke's Bay to our group of 28 Heads of Mission last week. @greatthingsgrowhere: food, wine, ideas and technology. Thank you @Kahungunu_Iwi @CityofNapier @NapierCityCouncil @hastingsdc @elephanthill @furnware @fingermarknz @hbemergency @mtghawkesbay.

[Michael Swain @MichaelSwainNZ]

Thanks @ItalyinNZ (and the hard working Protocol team)! Pictured with John Bostock at Bostock, NZ’s largest organic apple producer.

[Italy in New Zealand @ItalyinNZ]

Thank you ⁦@MichaelSwainNZ⁩ & Protocol team for 3 very interesting and instructive days in Hawke’s Bay. Not only orchards and wineries, but also a thriving innovative district

[Michael Swain @MichaelSwainNZ]

We have brought the diplomatic corps to Hawkes Bay! Warmly welcomed by mana whenua, Ngati Kahungunu, at Te Patu marae. Message to the corps from Iwi Chair Ngahiwi Tomoana: the Maori economy is growing - iwi, and Ngati Kahungunu in particular, are open for business. @MFATgovtNZ

[Michael Swain @MichaelSwainNZ]

@BevanMcCabe @FletcherNZFirst I should have mentioned that! Peru. Ambassador Javier Prado - in hongi with Justin Lester in photo.

[Michael Swain @MichaelSwainNZ]

@justin_lester and @FletcherNZFirst with the diplomatic corps marking 50 diplomatic missions in Wellington last night. Historic milestone - we
reached 25 in 1972. Thank you Te Atiawa Taranaki Whanui @WgtnCC and
the people of Wellington for all you do to host the diplomatic corps.

[Fletcher Tabuteau @CapitalFletch]

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs last night in Wellington, celebrating the milestone of 50 diplomatic missions being established in Wellington, Peru being our 50th @MFATgovtNZ @NZFirstNews @winstonpeters

[Cristiano da Costa @AmisoCosta]

Very warm welcome and reception hosted by @WgtnCC & @MFATgovtNZ to celebrate 50 Diplomaic Missions in Wellington. Very delighted to attend & stand as Acting Dean of DipCorps and meet w/ Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Hon. @FletcherNZFirst, Mayor @justin_lester. 🙏

[Michael Swain @MichaelSwainNZ]

25 missions in 1972. It has taken us another 47 years to reach 50. But as @FletcherNZFirst said last night: some countries have larger diplomatic corps, some smaller; what matters are the connections. We celebrate those connections, with Wellington, and with all of Aotearoa.

[Michael Swain @MichaelSwainNZ]

In the 1970s, the first missions from the Pacific - Papua New Guinea and Samoa; Latin America - @EmbChileNZ @EspinosaMarty ; the Middle East and Africa - Egypt.