New Zealand Embassy Rome, Italy

29/05/2026

The Embassy will be closed on 1 and 2 June.

If you require information on passports please visit: www.passports.govt.nz

For information on visas and entry into to New Zealand go to: www.immigration.govt.nz

New Zealand citizens requiring emergency consular assistance during this time are requested to call the Consular Emergency Assistance Number +64 99202020.

25/05/2026

As ceremonies commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Battle of Crete conclude, we reflect on a moving period of remembrance across Crete, including 42nd Street, Galatas, Rethymnon, Souda Bay and Maleme.

Representing New Zealand, Chargé d’Affaires Heslop, Defence Attaché Wing Commander Heather Peart, and Honorary Consul Ioanna Gouvatsou honoured those who fought in Crete in 1941. It was especially meaningful to see New Zealanders retracing the steps of relatives who served here during the war.

Eighty-five years on, the friendship forged between New Zealand and the people of Crete remains as strong as ever.

Lest we forget.
NZ Defence Force
Australian Embassy, Greece

22/05/2026

The Crete commemoration journey continued at 42nd Street, where ANZAC troops made a dramatic last stand against advancing German mountain troops on 27 May 1941.

Each year, Australians and New Zealanders gather here to honour the courage and sacrifice of those who fought in one of the most iconic actions of the Battle of Crete.

Chargé d’Affaires Joanna Heslop delivered a moving address, reflecting on the enduring legacy of service, remembrance, and the bonds forged through shared sacrifice. Lest we forget.

22/05/2026

As part of the commemorations of the Battle of Crete, Chargé d’Affaires Joanna Heslop, Defence Attaché Heather Pert and NZ Honorary Consul Ioanna Gouvatsou attended the screening in Chania of The Sisters of Galatas, a documentary by John Irwin recounting the experiences of the Tapinakis sisters during the German airborne invasion of Crete in May 1941.

The film tells the powerful story of Anna, Vera and Despina Tapinakis, whose lives were forever changed by the Battle of Crete and the hardships of the Occupation, highlighting the enduring human cost of war on civilians.

Following the screening, Joanna was honoured to meet Anna and Vera Tapinakis and New Zealand-born documentary filmmaker John Irwin.

Δήμος Χανίων - Municipality of Chania

08/05/2026

08/05/2026

Join us for two special evenings of film, discussion, and contemporary Indigenous perspectives at Palazzo Esposizioni Roma.

📍 𝐃𝐨𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 | 𝟏𝟒–𝟏𝟓 𝐌𝐚𝐲

𝑻𝒉𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒅𝒂𝒚 14 𝑴𝒂𝒚, 6.30 𝒑.𝒎.
ℂ𝕠𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕞𝕡𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕣𝕪 𝔸𝕣𝕥 & ℂ𝕠𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕚𝕒𝕝 (𝕀𝕟𝕗𝕣𝕒)𝕊𝕥𝕣𝕦𝕔𝕥𝕦𝕣𝕖𝕤
A roundtable exploring how artistic and cultural infrastructures shape representation, visibility, and storytelling across contemporary practice.
Held in English with simultaneous Italian translation.

𝑭𝒓𝒊𝒅𝒂𝒚 15 𝑴𝒂𝒚, 6.30 𝒑.𝒎.
𝕋𝕆𝕀𝕋𝕌̄ – 𝕍𝕚𝕤𝕦𝕒𝕝 𝕊𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕚𝕘𝕟𝕥𝕪
Screening of the documentary following the creation of the largest exhibition of contemporary Māori art ever held in Aotearoa New Zealand, followed by a Q&A with director and co-producer Chelsea Winstanley.
𝐹𝑖𝑙𝑚 𝑖𝑛 𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝐼𝑡𝑎𝑙𝑖𝑎𝑛 𝑠𝑢𝑏𝑡𝑖𝑡𝑙𝑒𝑠. 𝑄&𝐴 𝑖𝑛 𝐸𝑛𝑔𝑙𝑖𝑠ℎ.

📍 Sala Auditorium & Sala Cinema
Palazzo Esposizioni Roma
Scalinata di via Milano 9A, Rome

Free admission while places last.

06/05/2026

New Zealand Chargè d’Affaires Joanna Heslop was honoured to attend the official opening of the Aotearoa New Zealand Pavilion at the 61st International Art Exhibition of La Biennale di Venezia, featuring Taharaki Skyside by acclaimed artist Fiona Pardington ONZM, Ngai Tahu.

Presented by Creative New Zealand Toi Aotearoa and Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū, the exhibition creates a powerful connection between Aotearoa New Zealand and Venice through shared horizons, history, and imagination.

La Biennale di Venezia Creative New Zealand New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade www.nzatvenice.com

01/05/2026

On the occasion of International Sauvignon Blanc Day, the Embassy of New Zealand in Rome is pleased to celebrate one of the New Zealand’s most distinguished wine expressions 🇳🇿

Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand is internationally recognized for its distinctive freshness, vibrancy, and sense of place, shaped by unique climatic conditions and a strong winemaking tradition.

This day also marks the beginning of the global initiative Pour Yourself a Glass of New Zealand, celebrating the diversity and excellence of New Zealand white wines throughout the month of May.

As part of the Great White Wine Toast, we invite audiences worldwide to participate in a shared cultural moment: to rise a glass, celebrate together, and reflect on the role of wine in global cultural exchange. As this campaign highlights, white wine remains without an emoji, a cultural gap now captured by the message: “It’s an emojency!”

01/05/2026

The New Zealand Embassy will be closed on Friday, May 1, 2026, in observance of Italian Labour Day. We will reopen on Monday, May 4, 2026. For urgent consular assistance for New Zealanders during this closure, please call: +64 99 20 20 20.

30/04/2026

It was a real pleasure to host NZ Consuls from across the European and North Africa Network—representing Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Greece, Italy, Monaco, Morocco, Northern Ireland, Portugal, Scotland, Slovenia, Spain, and Ukraine on 29–30 April.

The meeting provided a valuable opportunity, through both online and in-person contributions, to gain deeper insight into New Zealand’s priorities across trade, education, tourism, investment, and science.

Participants also received comprehensive consular updates from representatives of the Consular Division, Immigration, New Zealand Police, and the Department of Internal Affairs.

It was a great opportunity for a constructive and engaging exchange, strengthening collaboration across our network.

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade