Hamish MacMaster is a New Zealand diplomat. He is currently serving as New Zealand's ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Hamish MacMaster
New Zealand Ambassador to Iran[1]
In office
24 August 2004 – 19 February 2009
Prime MinisterHelen Clark
John Key
Preceded byNiels Holm
Succeeded byBrian Sanders[2]
New Zealand Ambassador to Saudi Arabia[3]
Assumed office
19 July 2013
Prime MinisterJohn Key
Bill English
Jacinda Ardern
Preceded byRod Harris
Personal details
Born1960/1961
NationalityNew Zealand
Residence(s)Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
OccupationDiplomat

Early life

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MacMaster attended St. Andrews College from 1966 until 1979, indicating Years 1 through to 13.[4]

Career

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Pre 2004

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MacMaster first joined the public service in 1988 when he attained a job within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. It has been noted that he has been posted to Ankara, and to Riyadh, for minor roles, before 2004.[1]

In 2004 MacMaster was the Deputy Director of the Middle East and Africa Division.

Ambassador roles

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MacMaster was announced New Zealand's ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran in 2004. During his time in Tehran, MacMaster was also accredited to Afghanistan and Pakistan.[1] After being recalled from his position as Ambassador to Iran in 2009, McMaster resettled in Wellington.[2]

In 2013, MacMaster was announced as the new Ambassador to Saudi Arabia. During his tenure he will also be cross-credited to Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain and Oman.[3]

On 9 April 2015, MacMaster met with Prince Al-Waleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud to discuss the issues between New Zealand and Saudi Arabia in relation to investment and investment economics.[5]

On 13 January 2016, MacMaster met with Mufleh Al-Qahtani, Chairman of the National Society for Human Rights of Saudi Arabia. He discussed capital punishment, including the death penalty, and other human rights-related topics.[6]

Works

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MacMaster has been accredited to authoring multiple catalogs/books, including;

  • The Modern Commemorative Medal in New Zealand: Mirror to the Nation’s Soul (2009)[7]
  • New Zealand challenge coins : a catalogue (2011)[8]
  • New Zealand Commemorative Medals : 1941–2014 (2014)[9]
  • New Zealand Challenge Coins : a Catalogue (2nd Ed) (2016)[10]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Goff, Phil (14 August 2004). "Goff names new Ambassador". beehive.govt.nz. Beehive New Zealand. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  2. ^ a b McCully, Murray (19 February 2009). "McCully names new Ambassador to Iran". beehive.govt.nz. Beehive New Zealand. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  3. ^ a b McCully, Murray (19 July 2013). "McCully appoints Ambassador to Saudi Arabia". beehive.govt.nz. Beehive New Zealand. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  4. ^ Triegaardt, Kim. "Regulus 9.13" (PDF). St Andrews College Regulus: 47. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  5. ^ Altubaishi, Ahmed (9 April 2015). "Prince Alwaleed Receives New Zealand Ambassador". Kingdom Holding News Division. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  6. ^ Ahmed, Al-Mahmoud (13 January 2016). "The Chairman of the Society receives the Ambassador of New Zealand". National Society for Human Rights. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  7. ^ "The 2014 International New Zealand Numismatic Conference and Fair". www.rnsnz.org.nz. Royal Numismatic Society of New Zealand. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  8. ^ New Zealand challenge coins : a catalogue. OCLC World Cat Books. OCLC 773696429. Retrieved 1 August 2017 – via worldcat.org.
  9. ^ "New Zealand Commemorative Medals : 1941–2014". wheelers.co.nz. Wheelers Books. Archived from the original on 6 March 2019. Retrieved 1 August 2017.
  10. ^ "New Zealand Challenge Coins : a Catalogue (2nd Ed)". wheelers.co.nz. Wheelers Books. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 1 August 2017.