The Ambassador of Sweden to New Zealand (known formally as the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Sweden to New Zealand) is the official representative of the government of Sweden to the governor-general of New Zealand and government of New Zealand. Since Sweden does not have an embassy in Wellington, Sweden's ambassador in Canberra is co-accredited in Wellington.

History In July 1949, the King in Council decided to establish diplomatic relations with New Zealand. At the same time, the existing consulate in Wellington was upgraded to a legation, and was appointed as the resident chargé d'affaires en pied.

In January 1951, it was reported that the Swedish diplomatic post in Wellington, New Zealand, was to be abolished. The Swedish representation in New Zealand would then be handled by the embassy in Canberra, Australia. However, right-wing and liberal party representatives in the Committee of Supply opposed this decision, advocating for the post in Wellington to be maintained for at least another year. Despite this opposition, the committee ultimately supported the plan to eliminate the post. Two years later, the post was reestablished, and in 1957, Sweden's first resident envoy in Wellington was appointed.

At a council meeting on 21 February 1964, the Swedish government decided to elevate its legation in Wellington to an embassy. In March 1964, it was reported that Sweden and New Zealand had reached an agreement to upgrade the legations in their respective capitals to embassies. Envoy Olof Kaijser thereby became the first Swedish ambassador in Wellington.

In February 1995, the Swedish government decided to close the embassy in Wellington, and it was officially closed on 1 July 1995. Since then, the Swedish ambassador in Canberra has been accredited to Wellington.

List of representatives NamePeriodResident / Non-residentTitleResident / Concurrent accreditationNotesPresented credentialsRefRolf Arfwedson1949–1951 ResidentChargé d'affaires en piedMartin Kastengren19 October 1951 – 30 June 1957 Non-residentEnvoyResident in CanberraBo Järnstedt1953–1957 ResidentChargé d'affaires ad interimHans-Efraim Sköld1954–1954 ResidentChargé d'affaires ad interimOlof Ripa1955–1955 ResidentChargé d'affaires ad interimHugo Ärnfast1957–1960 ResidentEnvoyOlof Ripa1960–1962 ResidentEnvoyOlof Kaijser1963 – March 1964 ResidentEnvoyAugust 1963Olof KaijserMarch 1964 – 1967 ResidentAmbassadorKarl Henrik Andersson1967–1969 ResidentAmbassadorCarl-Gustaf Béve1969–1971 ResidentAmbassadorOlof Bjurström1971–1974 ResidentAmbassadorSten Aminoff1974–1979 ResidentAmbassadorGunnar Gerring1979–1982 ResidentAmbassadorAccredited to Apia, Nukuʻalofa, and SuvaChrister Sylvén1982–1987 ResidentAmbassadorAccredited to Apia (from 1983), Nukuʻalofa (from 1983), and SuvaKjell Anneling1987–1990 ResidentAmbassadorAccredited to Apia, Nukuʻalofa, and SuvaHans Andén1991–1993 ResidentAmbassadorAccredited to Apia, Avarua (from 1992), Nukuʻalofa, and SuvaKarin Ahrland1993–1995 ResidentAmbassadorAccredited to Apia, Avarua, Nukuʻalofa, and SuvaPolitical appointee (non-career diplomat)Göran Hasselmark1995–2000 Non-residentAmbassadorResident in CanberraLars-Erik Wingren2000–2003 Non-residentAmbassadorResident in CanberraKarin Ehnbom-Palmquist2003–2008 Non-residentAmbassadorResident in CanberraSven-Olof Petersson2008–2014 Non-residentAmbassadorResident in CanberraPär Ahlberger2014–2019 Non-residentAmbassadorResident in CanberraHenrik CederinJanuary 2020 – 2022 Non-residentAmbassadorResident in CanberraPontus Melander16 November 2022 – 2025 Non-residentAmbassadorResident in Canberra16 November 2022Klas Molin2025–present Non-residentAmbassadorResident in Canberra10 September 2025

Gallery

See also New Zealand–Sweden relations

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External links