Embassy of the United States, Wellington

The embassy in 2022
LocationNew Zealand Wellington, New Zealand
Address29 Fitzherbert Terrace, Thorndon, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Coordinates41°16′23″S 174°46′44″E / 41.27306°S 174.77889°E / -41.27306; 174.77889
Websitehttps://nz.usembassy.gov

The Embassy of the United States in Wellington is the diplomatic mission of the United States of America in New Zealand. The United States had consular representation in Wellington from 1868 and since 1922, the consul-general relocated from Auckland to the country's capital, Wellington. The United States recognized New Zealand's independent status in 1942 and in the same year, a legation was established in Wellington. In 1948, the transition from legation to embassy occurred. After leasing various offices for decades, the United States had a purpose-built embassy established in Thorndon in 1977; this remains the current embassy building.

History

The first consular office was established in Wellington in 1868, some three years after the country's capital had shifted from Auckland to Wellington. But it was only in 1922 that the American consul-general moved from Auckland to Wellington.[1]

The United States formally recognized New Zealand's independent state status on February 16, 1942. The first diplomatic mission, a legation, was established in Wellington on April 1, 1942, with Patrick J. Hurley presenting his credentials as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to New Zealand on April 24 of the same year.[2] The legation office was in the DIC Building on Lambton Quay.[3]

The transition from legation to embassy occurred after World War II. On December 1, 1948, Sir Carl Berendsen became the first New Zealand Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the United States, and shortly thereafter, on December 22, 1948, Robert M. Scotten reciprocally presented his credentials as the first U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to New Zealand.[2]

Some time in 1952 or 1953, the embassy moved from the DIC Building[4] to the Government Life Building in Customhouse Quay.[5] In early April 1971, the embassy moved to the IBM Centre—today known as Radio New Zealand House—on The Terrace.[6] By 1977, the embassy was occupying three floors of the IBM Centre, but had a further office in Wakefield House, just 350 m (1,150 ft) further along on the same street.[1]

The current embassy building is located at 29 Fitzherbert Terrace in the central Wellington suburb of Thorndon. That building was dedicated on July 3, 1977, and it became fully operational two weeks later on July 18. The building was purpose-built by and for the Americans. Work on the new building began in October 1974 and it cost $2 million to complete the project. Apart from the consular offices, there is provision for commercial and agricultural arms, defense, and the United States Information Service (USIS).[1]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "U.S. diplomatic tie with N.Z. 138 years old". The Press. July 2, 1977. p. 14. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  2. 1 2 "A Guide to the United States' History of Recognition, Diplomatic, and Consular Relations, by Country, since 1776: New Zealand". history.state.gov. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  3. ↑ "U.S. Minister: office assumed". The Evening Post. Vol. CXXXIII, no. 79. April 4, 1942. p. 8. Retrieved December 2, 2023.
  4. ↑ Wood, G. E. (June 25, 1952). "Overseas representatives in New Zealand". New Zealand Official Year-Book, 1951–52. Statistics New Zealand.
  5. ↑ Wood, G. E. (June 26, 1953). "Overseas representatives in New Zealand: June 1953". New Zealand Official Year-Book, 1953. Statistics New Zealand.
  6. ↑ "Biscuit orders "welcome"". The Press. Vol. CXI, no. 32574. April 6, 1971. p. 19. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.