increase font size
Ambassador Peter Ryan
Ireland's first Ambassador to NZ, Peter Ryan, says relations between the two countries have never been closer.
Ryan leaves NZ with a legacy, which covers trade, culture and community. His next posting is ambassador to Nigeria, where Ireland has one of its largest embassies in the world.
In addition to physically establishing the NZ embassy, Ryan has travelled the length and breadth of the country many times, meeting people. He has been instrumental in setting up a range of business, cultural and community initiatives. These include promoting Irish business networks and supporting Irish/NZ cultural ties, and Ryan and his staff played a major role in repatriating Irish people back to Ireland during the Covid pandemic.
During his four year stint in NZ, FTAs with both the UK and the EU were signed and Ireland even beat the All Blacks in an historic test series.
Perhaps one of Ryan's greatest achievements was growing and bringing to the fore the links between Ireland and Maori and Pacifica people - along with all New Zealanders. One in six people in NZ have Irish heritage.
"Both our embassy here and the NZ one in Dublin, which were established at the same time, would not have been able to hit the found running as they did if it wasn't for the wonderful respect that both countries hold mutually," Ryan told Rural News. "Like any treasure, you have to look after it and nurture it."
Peter Ryan has been a dynamic, energetic individual, who in the space of four years has raised the profile of Ireland in NZ in many ways - especially in the field of agriculture, agritech and culture.
He says the highlight of his time in New Zealand has been seeing the coming together of community and business, taking a new and fresh outlook for the future, which he hopes will strengthen even more the strong links between the two nations.
In the rural landscapes of New Zealand and Ireland, a shared agricultural heritage thrives, built on a strong mixture of tradition and innovation, with mirror image climates earning both countries global acclaim for their food quality and sustainable agriculture.
MPI director general Ray Smith reckons NZ has a lot to learn from the Irish Agriculture and Food Development Authority – called Teagasc (pronounced ‘Chog us’).
OPINION: In Ireland, climate change is also causing issues for farmers.
Trevor Mallard has had a colourful career. Now he's got his dream job as Ambassador to Ireland - a country which shares much in common with NZ. Before he left for Ireland, Mallard spoke with Peter Burke.
Most Irish farmers are pretty much on board with the need to reduce their agricultural greenhouse gas emissions.
The Neogen World Angus Forum, a major event in global Angus beef industry, is set to return in 2025.
Whatever an animal is raised for, it deserves a good life — and just as importantly, a “good death”.
North Canterbury dairy farmer and recently-elected deputy chair of DairyNZ, Cameron Henderson, is enjoying a huge reduction in irrigation water use after converting a pivot irrigator to drag perforated drip tubes across the ground instead of elevated sprinkler heads.
OPINION: Without doubt, a priority of the Government this year will be to gain traction on the elusive free trade deal with India.
Rugby league legend Tawera Nikau is set to inspire, celebrate and entertain at the East Coast Farming Expo's very popular Property Broker's Evening Muster.
The first FMG Young Farmer of the Year Regional Final will kick off at the Helensville Showgrounds this Saturday.
OPINION: Back in the 1960s and '70s, and even into the '80s, successive National government Agriculture Ministers and Trade Ministers…
OPINION: The new Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche has just had the hallelujah moment of the 21st century in…
