A message from Ambassador Connolly

October 30, 2022

Ko Airangi tōku whenua


Ko Liffey tōku awa


Ko Dublin tōku turangawaewae 


Ko Connolly tōku whānau


Ko Jane tōku ingoa


Ko au te māngai kāwanatanga mo te whenua o Airangi



Tēnā Koutou Katoa!

A Chairde,



Is mise Sine Ni Chonghaile agus is cúis áthais is bhróid dom gur ceapadh mar Ambasadóir na hÉireann chun na Nua Shealainne.


My name is Jane Connolly and I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as Ambassador of Ireland to New Zealand.


Ireland and New Zealand are very fortunate to enjoy special ties of kinship and history built on the rich contribution of generations of Irish women and men to the development of New Zealand and the influence of the many New Zealanders who have made Ireland their home.


We also share many values, as reflected in our commitment to advance fundamental freedoms, human rights, the rule of law and multilateralism.


We are both to be found in the frontline of global efforts on disarmament, peacekeeping and assistance to our partner developing countries.


And, while we are competitors on the rugby field but even there our close ties have made it a rivalry of deep mutual respect bound by a connection and bond forged over many generations.


I look forward during my time as Ambassador to New Zealand to working closely with the many Irish community, business, cultural and sporting organisations that we are so lucky to have here and with the State Agencies and other colleagues to contribute to the further development of the deep ties between our two nations.


He aha te mea nui o te ao? Māku e kī atu: He Tāngata, He Tāngata, He Tāngata.


Nō reira, tēnā koutou, tēnā koutou, tēnā tātou katoa. 


Go raibh maith agat.


Jane Connolly - Síne Ní Chonghaile                             

Ambasadóir na hÉireann - Ambassador of Ireland - He Māngai Kāwatanga o Airangi


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Continuing our celebration of St Brigid's Day. In collaboration with IBNNZ, St Patrick's Festival NZ, Embassy of Ireland New Zealand, and Mná na hÉireann we will be celebrating exceptional women in NZ. Brigid is the patron saint of poets. But that’s not all – she’s also the patron saint of midwives, newborns, Irish nuns, fugitives, blacksmiths, dairymaids, boatmen, chicken farmers, cattle, scholars, sailors, and no doubt many more. She is also, along with Patrick and Columcille, one of the three patron saints of Ireland. 1st of February - also marks the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
By Jane Quinn January 28, 2026
Continuing our celebration of St Brigid's Day. In collaboration with IBNNZ, St Patrick's Festival NZ, Embassy of Ireland New Zealand, and Mná na hÉireann we will be celebrating exceptional women in NZ. Brigid is the patron saint of poets. But that’s not all – she’s also the patron saint of midwives, newborns, Irish nuns, fugitives, blacksmiths, dairymaids, boatmen, chicken farmers, cattle, scholars, sailors, and no doubt many more. She is also, along with Patrick and Columcille, one of the three patron saints of Ireland. 1st of February - also marks the first day of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere.