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Embassy & Consulate Sections
Sections within the U.S. Embassy, Wellington & U.S. Consulate Auckland
Management
Political & Economic
Public Affairs
Regional Security
Foreign Agricultural Service
U.S. Commercial Service

Management

Management Office

The Management Section is responsible for the day to day internal operations of the Embassy and its constituent posts. Services cover the areas of Human Resources (including recruitment and medical services for staff), Budget and Finance, Information Technology, Travel & Accommodations, Community Liaison, and General Services (including staff housing, procurement, maintenance, motor vehicles, furniture & supplies).

Doing Business

To carry out its operations in New Zealand, the U.S. Embassy often procures supplies and services from local contractors and suppliers. The Embassy is interested in hearing from vendors of office supplies and furniture; suppliers of travel and accommodation services; external contractors; owners/agents of rental property; or persons seeking employment with the Embassy.

Current commercial opportunities for doing business with the Embassy can be found here.

If you are already doing business with the Embassy and have a query about a payment, we can update you on the status.

General Services Office

For procurement of office supplies and services; tenders; solicitations; and correspondence relating to maintenance services for residential and commercial buildings:

Email: wellington.gso@state.gov
Email (housing queries): wellingtongsohousing@state.gov
Phone: +64 4 462 6000 and ask for the General Services Office

For correspondence relating to residential properties in Wellington and/or Auckland that owners/managers/realtors wish the Embassy to consider, please contact the General Services Office.

 

The Political and Economic Affairs section

The Political and Economic Affairs section promotes American foreign policy interests and reports on key developments in New Zealand. The section represents official U.S. Government views to the New Zealand Government on bilateral and multilateral issues. The members of the section:

Promote understanding of U.S. political, economic, and environmental policies;
Encourage policy coordination with New Zealand on matters of mutual concern, including:

  • Trade policy,
  • Peacekeeping,
  • Non-proliferation,
  • Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Response,
  • Intellectual property
  • The environment, including oceans and climate change issues, and
  • Support for the U.S. and NZ Antarctic Programs.
  • The Political and Economic Affairs section engages a wide range of stakeholders inside and outside government to support these objectives. By enhancing mutual understanding and building cooperation, the section plays an important role in U.S.-New Zealand relations.

Contact details: 
Phone: 64 4 462 6000
Email: ProtocolWellington@state.gov.

The Office of Public Affairs

The Office of Public Affairs explains and advocates American policy, promotes deeper mutual understanding, acts as a focal point for media and cultural relations, and advises the U.S. Mission to New Zealand and Samoa on the issues of public diplomacy. It also works to expand and strengthen the relationship between the people and Government of the United States and the citizens of New Zealand and Samoa. Public affairs leads digital and social media outreach, communications with international audiences, cultural and sports programming, academic grants, educational exchanges, and international visitor programs.  The Office of Public Affairs is based at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington.  It is headed by a Country Public Diplomacy Officer (CPDO) with a staff of 15 New Zealanders and Samoans at the Embassy in Wellington, the Consulate General in Auckland, and the Embassy in Apia, Samoa.

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

The Cultural Section administers a variety of educational exchange and alumni 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 interviews and features with American experts, government officials, academics, journalists, performers, athletes, and others in New Zealand through its facilities at the Embassy.

The Office of Public Affairs partners with Fulbright New Zealand to administer the premier educational exchange between the United States and New Zealand, including the well-known J. William Fulbright Scholarship Program.  Through its EducationUSA office, public affairs provides guidance, information, and support on institutions and scholarships to students interested in studying in the United States.

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

Contact details: Office of Public Affairs

Phone: +64 4 462 6122
Fax: +64 4 499 0490
Email: publicaffairsusnz@state.gov (Questions related to Visa or U.S. Citizen Services will not be answered from the email address).

The Meet America program

The Meet America program provides Kiwi secondary school students with the opportunity to meet with Embassy officers, as well as American exchange students, teachers and researchers, to learn more about the culture, education, history, geography and literature of the United States. Find out more here.

The Regional Security Office

The Regional Security Officer (RSO) is assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Wellington. The RSO is the senior U.S. law enforcement official and the security advisor to the U.S. Ambassador.

The RSO’s office is responsible for all security issues concerning the U.S. Embassies in New Zealand and Samoa, the U.S. Consulate General in Auckland, and the U.S. Antarctic Program in Christchurch. Specific responsibilities include counter-terrorism, counter-intelligence, criminal and personnel investigations, physical security, technical security, dignitary protection and host Government law enforcement liaison. The RSO is also a key member of the Overseas Security Advisory Council (OSAC).

Foreign Agricultural Service Office

The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) assists U.S. exporters in selling their products overseas. The office at the U.S. Embassy in Wellington provides an important link between U.S. exporters seeking information on the New Zealand market and New Zealand importers looking for suppliers of high quality foods from the United States.

The office also plays a key role in managing the agricultural trade policy component of the U.S.-New Zealand bilateral relationship, making sure that market access issues for producers and exporters of U.S. foods are pursued. The office also reports on agricultural conditions for important commodities in New Zealand.

Contact details:

Phone: +64 4 462 6030
Website: https://www.fas.usda.gov/regions/new-zealand.

 

U.S. Commercial Service Office

The U.S. Commercial Service is a division of the U.S. Department of Commerce operating in more than 150 cities worldwide. In New Zealand the Foreign Commercial Service operates an office at the Embassy in Wellington. The mission of the office is:

  • to help U.S. businesses find qualified international partners; and
  • to represent U.S. business interests internationally

What can we do for you?

  • Locate U.S. products, services, or business partners that meet your needs.
  • Identify the best U.S. companies in your area of interest.
  • Help you meet one-on-one with U.S. companies in person or via video conference.
  • Introduce your company to thousands of qualified U.S. companies at international and U.S. trade shows, both in person and via the Internet.With our online resources, you can find U.S. services, products and partners without leaving home.

Rely on our extensive U.S. network of 1,800 trade professionals to work for your business by letting us introduce you to the U.S. companies that best meet your needs.

Contact the U.S. Commercial Service:
Phone: +64 4 462 6002
Fax: +64 4 473 0770
Email: janet.coulthart@trade.gov
Website: https://www.trade.gov/new-zealand.