# List of ambassadors of Sweden to New Zealand

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.

## 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 Rolf Arfwedson [sv] 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.
On 21 February 1962, the Swedish government decided to elevate its legation in Wellington to an embassy. The diplomatic rank was thereafter changed to ambassador instead of envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary.
On 1 July 1995, the embassy in Wellington was closed. Since then, the Swedish ambassador in Canberra has been accredited to Wellington.

## List of representatives

| Name | Period | Title | Notes |
| Rolf Arfwedson | 1949–1951 | Chargé d'affaires en pied | |
| Martin Kastengren | October 1951 – 30 June 1957 | Envoy | Accredited from Canberra. |
| Bo Järnstedt | 1953–1957 | Chargé d'affaires ad interim | |
| Olof Ripa | 1955–1955 | Chargé d'affaires ad interim | |
| Hugo Ärnfast | 1957–1960 | Envoy | |
| Olof Ripa | 1960–1962 | Envoy | |
| Olof Kaijser | 1963–1967 | Ambassador | |
| Karl Henrik Andersson | 1967–1969 | Ambassador | |
| Carl-Gustaf Béve | 1969–1971 | Ambassador | |
| Olof Bjurström | 1971–1974 | Ambassador | |
| Sten Aminoff | 1974–1979 | Ambassador | |
| Gunnar Gerring | 1979–1982 | Ambassador | Accredited to Apia, Nukuʻalofa, and Suva. |
| Christer Sylvén | 1982–1987 | Ambassador | Accredited to Apia (from 1983), Nukuʻalofa (from 1983), and Suva. |
| Kjell Anneling | 1987–1990 | Ambassador | Accredited to Apia, Nukuʻalofa, and Suva. |
| Hans Andén | 1991–1993 | Ambassador | Accredited to Apia, Avarua (from 1992), Nukuʻalofa, and Suva. |
| Karin Ahrland | 1993–1995 | Ambassador | Accredited to Apia, Avarua, Nukuʻalofa, and Suva. |
| Göran Hasselmark | 1995–2000 | Ambassador | Accredited from Canberra. |
| Lars-Erik Wingren | 2000–2003 | Ambassador | Accredited from Canberra. |
| Karin Ehnbom-Palmquist | 2003–2008 | Ambassador | Accredited from Canberra. |
| Sven-Olof Petersson | 2008–2014 | Ambassador | Accredited from Canberra. |
| Pär Ahlberger | 2014–2019 | Ambassador | Accredited from Canberra. |
| Henrik Cederin | January 2020 – 2022 | Ambassador | Accredited from Canberra. |
| Pontus Melander | 16 November 2022 – present | Ambassador | Accredited from Canberra. |

## Gallery

* Ambassador Henrik Cederin (2020–2022) and Governor-General Patsy Reddy.