Turkmenistan’s Ambassador Atadurdy Bayramov has been accredited in New Zealand, becoming the country’s first diplomatic representative in the island nation, the press service of New Zealand’s Governor-General reported on Wednesday.

The credential presentation ceremony took place at Government House in Wellington, where Bayramov presented his letters of credence to Governor-General Cindy Kiro. Bayramov will serve as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to New Zealand concurrently with his current diplomatic mission in Japan.

His appointment was officially approved by a decree of Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedov on April 27, 2025, marking another step in expanding the country’s diplomatic ties in the Asia-Pacific region.

The ceremony was also attended by diplomatic representatives from Poland, Türkiye, the Maldives and the Solomon Islands. The program featured elements of Māori culture, including a hongi greeting.