Minister Wojciech Gerwel visiting New Zealand
22.03.2023
Between 19th and 25th of March 2023, Undersecretary of State at the Ministry of Foreign Affair, Mr Wojciech Gerwel visited New Zealand. The main objective of his visit was to attend political consultation with Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in New Zealand and to participate in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between both countries.
The special celebratory lunch was hosted on March 22, 2023, at the premises of New Zealand Parliament. Among the honorable guests were: Deputy Speaker Gregory O’Connor, members of Parliament, local representatives and mayors of cities with strong connections to Polish diaspora, the honorable consuls (Bogusław Nowak from Auckland, Windome Dormer from Christchurch and former Honorary Consul Johh Roy-Wojciechowski), representatives of Pahiatua Children and leaders of main Polish organization across New Zealand. The event was attended as well by the representatives of New Zealand cultural institutions like National Library and New Zealand International Affairs Institute. During the event the mayor of Tararua, Pahiatua’s district, Tracy Collin made a special announcement. Newly born Kiwi in the national wildlife center of Mount Bruce, with the blessing of local iwi, has been gifted as a symbol of Polish-New Zealand bond and friendship, named in Maori language „Porana” (translating to „Poland”)
During his time in Wellington Mr Gerwel visited „Dzieci z Pahiatua” plaque at the Wellington Wharf and paid tribute to victims of Katyn in the church of St Mary of Angles. Additionally, he gave the interview to NZ International Review, which next issue will include a Polish segment.
The visit of the representative of Polish government was very eventful and certainly reinforced the positive relations between Poland and New Zealand.
