Second Diplomatic Corps Meeting and Farewell for the Ambassador of Hungary and Spouse
24th June 2021
Diplomatic Corps group photo after the meeting
The Second Meeting of the New Zealand Diplomatic Corps for 2021 was convened on Wednesday 23rd June at the Wellington Club on The Terrace. The Group meets twice a year to discuss issues of common interest and concern to the Diplomatic Corps, with a view to addressing these with the relevant NZ Government Authorities. In line with Pacific Custom, the Meeting commenced with a prayer led by the Dean of the Diplomatic Corps and Samoa High Commissioner, HE Mr Leasi Papali’i T Scanlan. The Dean then proceeded to discuss with other Heads of Mission the status of COVID-19 vaccination for the Diplomatic Corps as well as several other important issues and upcoming events for the Corps. The Dean also briefed the Meeting of the Events, since the last DC Meeting in February, that he attended on behalf of the Diplomatic Corps.
The Meeting was followed by a farewell for the Ambassador of Hungary (H.E. Mr László Zsolt Szabó) and his spouse (Mrs Tuende Gyorsok) who are returning home on completion of their Term in New Zealand. On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps, the Dean spoke to acknowledge the positive contributions of the Hungarian Ambassador and Spouse to the activities of the Dip Corps since being appointed as the first Ambassador of his country to New Zealand in April 2016. Ambassador Szabó was also accredited to a number of Pacific Island Countries including Samoa, having presented his credentials to the Head of State (H.H. Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II) in March 2017. Before joining Hungary’s foreign service, Mr. Szabo held a number of Senior Posts in various media and television networks in his country. The Dean ended his speech by wishing the Ambassador and Spouse a safe return to Hungary and all the very best in their future endeavours. The Ambassador of Indonesia (HE Tantowi Yahya) and his Spouse (Mrs Dewi Yahya) presented the farewell gifts to Ambassador László & Mrs Tuende, on behalf of the Dip Corps.
The afternoon concluded with a group photo and luncheon, together with the Diplomatic Corps Spouses, to farewell the Hungarian Ambassador and his Spouse. The High Commissioner was accompanied by his spouse (Mrs Joyce Scanlan), the Counsellor (Mr. Robert Niko Aiono) and the First Secretary (Mr. Tau Jurgen Kappus).
The Meeting was followed by a farewell for the Ambassador of Hungary (H.E. Mr László Zsolt Szabó) and his spouse (Mrs Tuende Gyorsok) who are returning home on completion of their Term in New Zealand. On behalf of the Diplomatic Corps, the Dean spoke to acknowledge the positive contributions of the Hungarian Ambassador and Spouse to the activities of the Dip Corps since being appointed as the first Ambassador of his country to New Zealand in April 2016. Ambassador Szabó was also accredited to a number of Pacific Island Countries including Samoa, having presented his credentials to the Head of State (H.H. Tuimalealiifano Vaaletoa Sualauvi II) in March 2017. Before joining Hungary’s foreign service, Mr. Szabo held a number of Senior Posts in various media and television networks in his country. The Dean ended his speech by wishing the Ambassador and Spouse a safe return to Hungary and all the very best in their future endeavours. The Ambassador of Indonesia (HE Tantowi Yahya) and his Spouse (Mrs Dewi Yahya) presented the farewell gifts to Ambassador László & Mrs Tuende, on behalf of the Dip Corps.
The afternoon concluded with a group photo and luncheon, together with the Diplomatic Corps Spouses, to farewell the Hungarian Ambassador and his Spouse. The High Commissioner was accompanied by his spouse (Mrs Joyce Scanlan), the Counsellor (Mr. Robert Niko Aiono) and the First Secretary (Mr. Tau Jurgen Kappus).