Samina Naz has officially assumed office as the inaugural High Commissioner of Bangladesh to New Zealand, presenting her letter of credence to New Zealand Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro during an official ceremony hosted at the Government House in Wellington on Wednesday.

Diplomatic ties between Bangladesh and New Zealand were originally established in 1972.

Reflecting the expanding expatriate community residing in the country and seeking to inject fresh momentum into bilateral cooperation, the Bangladeshi government resolved to open a resident diplomatic mission in New Zealand in 2025.

The diplomatic mission situated in New Zealand holds concurrent accreditation covering the Pacific island nations of Samoa and Tuvalu, according to an official announcement released by the High Commission on Thursday.

Following the formal presentation formalities, Dame Cindy Kiro greeted High Commissioner Naz cordially, extending formal congratulations on her appointment as the first High Commissioner Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bangladesh to New Zealand.

In reply, the High Commissioner expressed appreciation for the hospitable reception and transmitted warm regards originating from President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alongside the citizens of Bangladesh.

Adhering to local ceremonial custom upon the request of the Governor-General, High Commissioner Naz recited an original poem composed specifically to honor the friendship linking Bangladesh and New Zealand, which received high praise from both the Governor-General and officials representing the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade protocol division.

During subsequent discussions, the High Commissioner underscored the dedication of the administration in Dhaka toward elevating bilateral relations to unprecedented levels by identifying expanded prospects for mutual collaboration across commerce and investment, agricultural development, academic cooperation, athletic exchanges, arts, cultural ties, people-to-people engagement, shared Commonwealth heritage, and joint commitments toward international peace, human rights, sustainable development, and combating climate change.