A Kiwi with Samoan heritage Dr. Emma Dunlop-Bennett has been appointed as New Zealand's Ambassador and Head of Mission to South Africa.

The appointment of Dr. Dunlop-Bennett was announced by the New Zealand government in an official statement issued by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (M.F.A.T.) recently.

She currently serves as Climate Change Unit Manager at the M.F.A.T. and previously served as Unit Manager for the Ministry's Strategic Policy Unit.

New Zealand's Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister, Nanaia Mahuta said New Zealand's relationship with South Africa is founded on common historical experience and strong connections.

“Aotearoa New Zealand’s relationship with South Africa is our deepest and most diverse on the African continent. It is a relationship founded on common historical experience, and strong connections between our peoples,” Ms. Mahuta in a Ministry-issued statement.

Dr. Dunlop-Bennett attended Samoa College and the Nelson College for Girls and holds a PhD in Pacific Studies and Child Wellbeing from Otago University; a Master’s degree in Philosophy (Development Economics and International Development) from Massey University; and a Bachelor of Science in Geography from Canterbury University.

“I lead the Strategic Policy Unit, which supports M.F.A.T. to set its strategic direction and build strategic policy capability," Dr. Dunlop-Bennett said in the statement.

"An example of our work is the 2019 Strategic Assessment, which was developed to inform, frame, and navigate critical foreign policy choices for New Zealand."

Dr. Dunlop-Bennett’s passion is working in aid and development.

“My passion is working in aid and development, and my study was mainly geared towards that,” she said.

The Ministry notes that Dr. Dunlop-Bennett brings significant experience to the role having worked in leadership positions at the M.F.A.T. in Pacific development, strategic policy, and climate change. 

Dr. Dunlop-Bennett of Māori (Ngāti Maniapoto) and Samoan (Sā Petāia and Sā Te’o families) descent has previously held diplomatic postings in Fiji and Vanuatu.

While in South Africa, she will also be accredited to Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.