For information only - not an official document
UNIS/BIO/1004
6 March 2013
(Based on information provided by the Protocol and Liaison Service)
VIENNA, 6 March (UN Information Service) - The new Permanent Representative of New Zealand, Deborah Geels, presented her credentials today to the Director-General of the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Yury Fedotov.
Ms. Geels currently serves as Ambassador to Austria, Hungary, Slovakia and Slovenia.
Since Ms Geels joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1986, she has served in various capacities:
Director of Consular Division (2009-2012); Deputy Head of Mission to Beijing (2006-2008); and Counsellor responsible for human rights, the ILO and WHO at the New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations in Geneva (1997-2002). She has also held several positions within the Ministry focusing on multilateral work, the Pacific islands, Asia and development assistance.
Ms. Geels holds a degree in economics and political science from the University of Canterbury.
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