Turkmenistan Strengthens Ties with New Zealand, Accredits First Ever Ambassador

Atadurdy Bayramov was officially accredited as Turkmenistan’s first-ever Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to New Zealand in a landmark event at the Government House in Wellington.

The credentials were presented to New Zealand’s Governor-General, Cindy Kiro, marking a new chapter in bilateral relations between the two countries, The Caspian Post reports, citing Turkmen media.

This appointment signifies a major step in strengthening diplomatic ties and expanding cooperation. The move aligns with Turkmenistan’s broader strategy to enhance its international presence and foster deeper engagement with the Asia-Pacific region.

Bayramov, who currently serves as Turkmenistan’s Ambassador to Japan, was concurrently accredited to New Zealand following a presidential decree signed by President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on April 27, 2025.

On the same day, New Zealand also welcomed credentials from other diplomats, including the High Commissioner of the Solomon Islands, and ambassadors from Poland, Türkiye, and the Maldives. Alongside the Federated States of Micronesia, Turkmenistan is among the first nations to present credentials to New Zealand’s growing diplomatic network in the Pacific.

The ceremony was infused with elements of New Zealand’s rich Māori culture, including the traditional hongi - a ritual greeting symbolizing the sharing of life breath through the touching of noses and foreheads. Indigenous representatives played a key role in the event, underscoring New Zealand’s respect for its cultural heritage and its integration into formal state ceremonies.

Bayramov’s participation in the hongi alongside other newly appointed envoys symbolized mutual respect for cultural diversity and the importance of building strong intercultural ties.