The United States has maintained a consular presence in New Zealand since 1838. The first consul was James Reddy Clendon. Born in England, Clendon was a ship owner and merchant who bought land and settled in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. In 1838 he was appointed by the federal government of the United States as consul for New Zealand. He was based at his property at Okiato, which in 1840 became the capital and was renamed Russell (not to be confused with present-day Russell). He held this position until 1841.
On July 16, 2021 President Joe Biden nominated former Senator Tom Udall to serve as United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.[1] He was confirmed by the Senate on October 26, 2021 and the start of his tenure began on December 2, 2021.[2]
The Ambassador to New Zealand is also accredited to Samoa though resident in Wellington.
This article incorporates public domain material from U.S. Bilateral Relations Fact Sheets. United States Department of State.