Offices and Departments

Office of Public Affairs

The Office of Public Affairs explains and advocates American policy, acts as a focal point for media and cultural relations, and advises the U.S. Mission to New Zealand on the issues of public diplomacy. It also works to strengthen the U.S.-New Zealand bilateral relationship. The Office of Public Affairs in Wellington is headed by a Public Affairs Officer (PAO), assisted by a staff of seven New Zealanders.

The Press Section handles all relations between the Embassy and the New Zealand media, responding to questions from the press, providing information on U.S. foreign policy and current issues to the media, and arranging interviews with U.S. government officials and press coverage of Embassy events.

The American Reference Center is a sophisticated research and reference service of the Embassy, which uses professional journals, commercial directories, database resources, and the Internet to provide current information on U.S. policy, legislation, trade, social and cultural issues to New Zealand government officials, academics, members of the media, researchers, and other specialists. Working closely with the Office of International Information Programs, at the Department of State, the Public Affairs Section administers the U.S. Speakers and Specialists Program, which brings U.S. experts in various fields of U.S. life and society to New Zealand for lectures and consultancies.

The Cultural Section administers a variety of educational exchange programs, including the International Visitor Program, which sends invited New Zealand officials, academics and other professionals to the United States to promote professional contacts and familiarization with the United States.

The Office of Public Affairs also arranges Digital Video Conference interviews between American experts in the United States and government officials, academics, journalists and others in New Zealand through its facilities at the Embassy.

The Office of Public Affairs also supports Fulbright New Zealand which administers various programs of educational exchange between the United States and New Zealand, including the well-known J. William Fulbright Scholarship Program, and also provides information on studying in the United States.

NOTE: The Embassy observes New Zealand and American public holidays.

Contact details: Office of Public Affairs

Ph: +64 4 462 6082
Fax: +64 4 499 0490