The Samoa High Commissioner (H.E. Leasi Papali’i Scanlan) in his capacity as Dean of Diplomatic Corps received courtesy calls from a number of Ambassadors residing in Australia and Japan on Tuesday 5th April and Thursday 7th April 2022. The Heads of Diplomatic Missions from Australia and Japan arrived in New Zealand the previous week to present their credentials to the Governor General of New Zealand, H.E. Rt. Hon. Dame Cindy Kiro. The Credentials Presentation Ceremony was held on 6th April 2022 at the Government House. The Dean welcomed the Heads of Mission and shared an insight into the Diplomatic Corps life in New Zealand, including the importance of the close relations amongst the 50 Diplomatic Missions in Wellington as well as with the NZ Government and Officials. Among the issues discussed included; the COVID-19 Pandemic & Vaccines, Climate Change, Diasporas & Remittances, Economic Development, International and Regional security. The Dean also advised their Excellencies of upcoming activities for the NZ Diplomatic Corps which they could participate in, if they are available. The visiting Heads of Mission expressed their gratitude to the Dean for hosting them.

The Heads of Missions that paid courtesy calls to the Samoa High Commissioner & Dean of the Diplomatic Corps included: Ambassador of Oman (H.E. Mohamaed Said Al Bu Saidi); Ambassador of Latvia (H.E. Margers Krums); Ambassador of Romania (H.E. Radu Gabriel Safta); Ambassador of Uruguay (H.E. Dianela Joselina Pi Cedres); and Ambassador of Belgium (H.E. Michael Goffin). The High Commissioner of Australia to New Zealand, resident in Wellington, H.E. Harinder Sidhu also paid a courtesy call to the Dean of Diplomatic Corps.