About Us Former High Commissioners

Historical List of India’s Diplomatic Representatives in New Zealand

In 1950, Mr. B. K. Sanyal was appointed as India’s first resident Trade Commissioner based in Wellington. In 1951, the Government of India decided to give concurrent responsibility to High Commissioner in Canberra. Mr. K.S. Duleepsinghji became the first High Commissioner to New Zealand resident in Canberra. He presented his credentials to the Governor General of New Zealand in April 1952. With the opening of a non-resident High Commission, Mr. B. K. Sanyal was redesignated as First Secretary (Commercial) and headed the High Commission as Cd'A, with High Commissioner serving from Canberra. The Office in Wellington started consular services in 1955. The full- time resident High Commissioner was appointed in 1963. Available records indicate that the Trade Commission was first housed at 49, Willis Street in Wellington when it opened in 1950. The High Commission moved to its permanent, Government-owned premises at 72, Pipitea Street in Wellington in June 2022.

Name

Years

Trade Commissioner

Mr. B. K. Sanyal

1950 to 1952

High Commissioners (Non-Resident)

During 1952 to 1963, High Commissioners of India based in Canberra were concurrently accredited to New Zealand.

H.E. Mr. K.S. Duleepsinghji

1952 to 1954

H.E. Mr. Gen. (Rtd) K.M. Cariappa

1954 to 1956

H.E. Mr. K. R. P. Singh

1956 to 1958

H.E. Mr. P. Achutha Menon

1958 to 1961

H.E. Mr. Samar Sen

1960 to 1963

High Commissioners

H.E. Mr. V.K. Ahuja

August 1963 - December 1964

H.E. Mr. S.N. Chopra

April 1966 - August 1969

H.E. Mr. P.S. Naskar

September 1969 - April 1973

H.E. Mr. L.N. Ray

May 1973 - December 1976

H.E. Mr. B. Devarao

December 1976 - December 1979

H.E. Mr. A.K. Budhiraja

May 1980 - April 1983

H.E. Mr. Adm. (Rtd.) O.S. Dawson

August 1985 - August 1987

H.E. Mr. C.R. Balachandra

May 1988 - November 1991

H.E. Mr. S.J. Singh

November 1991 - August 1993

H.E. Mr. K.M. Meena

August 1994 - May 1998

H.E. Mr. S. Kipgen

May 1998 - April 2002

H.E. Mr. Bal Anand

May 2002 - November 2003

H.E. Mr. Harish K. Dogra

September 2004 - April 2006

H.E. Mr. K.P. Ernest

April 2006 - April 2009

H.E. Mr. Adm. (Retd) S.Mehta

December 2009 -December 2011

H.E. Mr. Avanindra K. Pandey

July 2012 - August 2013

H.E. Mr. Ravi Thapar

December 2013 - June 2015

H.E. Mr. Sanjiv Kohli

March 2016 - May 2019

H.E. Mr. Muktesh K. Pardeshi

July 2019-July 2022