Greece’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Greeks Abroad, Ioannis Loverdos, has completed an official visit to New Zealand – the first by a Greek government representative in 18 years – reaffirming Athens’ commitment to supporting the vibrant Hellenic community living there.
Loverdos’ visit, held from 10 to 12 October, included stops in Wellington and Auckland, where he met with community leaders, religious representatives, and New Zealand officials.
He was accompanied by Greece’s Ambassador to Australia, Stavros Venizelos; the Honorary Consul of Greece in New Zealand, George Neonakis; the Secretaries-General of the Ministry of the Interior, Athanasios Balermpas and Dimitrios Karnavos; and the Head of the Directorate-General for Citizenship, Katerina Ouli.
Meetings in Wellington
In Wellington, Loverdos was warmly received by His Eminence Metropolitan Myron of New Zealand and Exarch of Oceania, as well as members of the Greek Orthodox Community of Wellington Inc.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Minister praised the “small but vibrant” Greek community for maintaining its identity and traditions despite the distance from the homeland.
“Although residing so far away from Greece, you have achieved to keep our culture alive. Greece will do everything in its power to continue supporting you,” Loverdos assured attendees.
The visit concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Greek–New Zealand Memorial, honouring the ANZAC soldiers who fought and fell in Greece during the Second World War. The memorial stands as a lasting symbol of friendship and shared sacrifice between the two nations, commemorating both the New Zealanders who defended Greece and the Greeks who aided them during and after the Battle of Crete.
Official talks and community engagement in Auckland
In Auckland, Loverdos met with the Hon Paul Goldsmith, New Zealand’s Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage, Minister for Justice, Minister for Media and Communications, and Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations.
The two politicians highlighted the longstanding bilateral relations between Greece and New Zealand, as well as the vital role of the Greek diaspora as a bridge between the two countries.
Earlier in the day, Loverdos attended a service at the Holy Trinity Christian Greek Orthodox Church of Auckland, where he spoke with parishioners and community members, assuring them of Greece’s continued support in preserving their language, faith, and cultural heritage.
A historic visit after 18 years
This marked the first visit to New Zealand by a Greek government representative since then–Prime Minister Kostas Karamanlis travelled there in May 2007.
Loverdos’ presence symbolised a renewed effort to strengthen Greece’s relationship with its diaspora and reaffirm the shared cultural and historical bonds between Greece and New Zealand.
