New Zealand Embassy in Belgium

16/09/2026

Te reo Māori is one of our official languages. As we celebrate Te Wiki o Te Reo Māori, we’re recognising the language’s enduring importance to New Zealand’s 🇳🇿 culture.

14/09/2026

This week (14-20 September) is Te Wiki o te Reo Māori.

Māori became an official language of New Zealand 🇳🇿 in 1987 and it’s a taonga (treasure) that our government works to protect.

Every conversation helps strengthen and sustain te reo for future generations. Kia kaha te reo Māori!

10/09/2026

Ambassador Jennifer Troup thanks the Hansa team for the warm welcome. It was a pleasure to see a New Zealand manufacturer building a strong presence in Belgium and to learn more about Hansa's success in the European market.

Hansa demonstrates how innovative New Zealand manufacturers can compete successfully in specialised global markets. The EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement creates new opportunities for companies investing in long-term market development.

And Ambassador Troup was delighted to have a turn with the chipper herself! 🇳🇿🇧🇪🌳

09/09/2026

Our 🇳🇿 colleagues in 🇨🇭 are hiring!

The New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations and World Trade Organisation in Geneva is seeking an Executive Assistant to support their Ambassadors and contribute to the delivery of high-level visits, events, and policy work.

They are looking for someone who:

✅ Has experience supporting senior leaders or executive teams
✅ Has exceptional planning and organisational skills
✅ Communicates confidently in English (French an advantage)
✅ Thrives in a fast-paced environment and can manage competing priorities

📍 Location: Geneva, Switzerland
📅 Preferred start: December 2026
⏰ Applications close: Midnight (NZ time), 22 September 2026

Find out more here: https://jobs.mfat.govt.nz/job/Executive-Assistant-Geneva/1366989666/

08/09/2026

Over the weekend Ambassador Jen Troup had the pleasure of attending two events with a very special 🇧🇪 - 🇳🇿 connection.

First was the book launch and opening of an exhibition of photographs by Johan Swinnen, Art Expert and Emeritus Professor of Art History and Visual Culture, who spent 3 months travelling around New Zealand earlier this year. During his time there he wrote a series of 22 insightful essays and captured beautiful images to accompany his words- which have now been bound into a book: Panorama van Aotearoa.

The exhibition runs until 30 October at Galerie Humanistisch Verbond in Antwerp:

https://be.humanistischverbond.filebuddy.be/media/uploads/activiteiten_2026/flyer_uitnodiging_vernissage_swinnen_gommé_06-09-2026-def-lr.pdf

Ambassador Troup also attended the opening of Rhythm of Lace,
a collaborative exhibition featuring artists from New Zealand and Belgium, including Honorary Belgian Consul to New Zealand Godelieve Bierque, Annemie Rager, Liz Hawker, Luca Soulos and Nan Mulder. The exhibition showcases the creativity and craftmanship that continue to inspire connections across cultures.

This exhibition runs until 27 September at the Épreuve d'artiste galerij in Antwerp:

https://www.epreuvedartiste.be/e_2026_RythmOfLace.php

19/08/2026

The Brussels Flower Carpet may have gone, but for the next two weeks, three large-scale public art installations by New Zealand 🇳🇿 design studio KA PAI will bring colour, craft and optimism to the streets of Brussels.

Three installations, From Her Hands, Street Party and Acts of Defiant Joy can be found around Brussels until 30 August.

Have you seen them? Let us know, and share pictures, in the comments below!

More information on:

KA PAI is a Brussels-based creative studio bringing floral events, public art installations, and brand launches to life with style, creativity, and wow.

17/08/2026

New Zealand Ambassador to the EU & NATO Simon Draper was delighted to see Timor Leste Ambassador Lurdes Bessa last week. As the current Chair of the ASEAN group in Brussels, it was very useful to hear about her current work.

10/08/2026

Ambassador Jen Troup had the pleasure to meet with Lieve Bierque, Belgium's 🇧🇪 Honorary Consul to New Zealand 🇳🇿 (South Island) and an accomplished artist, along with Chris Verheyen, founder of Galerij Épreuve d'Artiste in Antwerp.

Lieve's work will be featured in the upcoming exhibition Rhythm of Lace, showcasing the creativity and craftsmanship that continue to inspire connections across cultures.

Ambassador Troup looks forward to attending the exhibition opening on 6 September and earning more about the works that will be featured in Rhythm of Lace.

🔗 https://www.epreuvedartiste.be/e_2026_RythmOfLace.php

03/08/2026

On 31 July, Deputy 🇳🇿 Ambassador Te Aniwa Setters joined a commemoration in honour of Lance Corporal Leslie Wilton Andrew VC.

Awarded the Victoria Cross at just 20 years old, Andrew displayed exceptional bravery and leadership during the New Zealand attack on La Basseville in 1917. His actions left a lasting impression on his comrades and earned him the highest award for gallantry.

More about his story and service: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/media/photo/leslie-andrew-vc

Lest we forget 🌹 Kei wareware tātou

Thank you Francois Maekelberg for your dedication and for organising this ceremony every year. And thank you Annelies Swaenepoel for the lovely pictures 🙏

21/07/2026

Wishing all of our friends across Belgium 🇧🇪 a very happy National Day! 🎆

The Embassy and Mission are closed today. New Zealanders 🇳🇿 requiring consular assistance during this time are requested to check www.safetravel.govt.nz ✅ in the first instance, or call the 24/7 emergency duty officer on ☎️ +64 99 20 20 20 in case of urgent assistance requests.

Lost or stolen NZ passport? ➡ www.passports.govt.nz
Travelling to Europe? ➡ https://travel-europe.europa.eu/ees/what-is-the-ees
Visa/immigration enquiries? ➡ www.immigration.govt.nz