New Zealand Embassy in Cairo

For over four decades, the Sinai has been home to a unique effort to sustain peace - something Ambassador Louise Searle witnessed firsthand during her visit to North Camp, where she met New Zealand’s dedicated contingent deployed with the Multinational Force & Observers (MFO), along with their much-loved companion, Roo 🐶. The visit offered a valuable opportunity to engage directly with personnel contributing to one of the region’s most enduring peacekeeping efforts.

Established in 1981 following the Egypt–Israel Peace Treaty, the MFO is supported by 14 nations, tasked with supervising the implementation of the Peace Treaty.

New Zealand has been a proud contributor to the MFO since its inception, maintaining a continuous presence for 44 years. Over that time, the MFO has played a vital role in successfully sustaining peace between Egypt and Israel, one of the most enduring examples of stability in the region.

In a region facing complex and evolving challenges, it is both inspiring and hopeful to meet young women leading locally driven peace efforts that create real, lasting impact in their communities.

The New Zealand Embassy in Cairo was delighted to host 18 outstanding Young Women Peacebuilders from across 10 Arab states (Egypt, Palestine, Lebanon, Tunisia, Morocco, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Libya and Iraq), as part of a regional programme led by UN Women Arabic and Issam Fares Institute for Public Policy and International Affairs (IFI).

In her remarks, Ambassador Louise Searle reflected on the importance of community-led conflict prevention and peacebuilding efforts in the region, highlighting that sustainable peace requires dialogue, trust, and locally led inclusive solutions, not just short-term responses to conflict. She also encouraged participants to draw on their shared network and continue championing inclusive approaches to peace.

Reflecting on his experience in the region, UN Women Regional Director, Dr. Moez Doraid, underscored the critical role women play in building and sustaining peace.

The evening brought together the cohort and members of the diplomatic community to share their experiences and ideas for advancing inclusive and sustainable peace, and celebrate the achievements of this inspiring group of young women!

"Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou – We will remember them."

The New Zealand and Australian Embassies in today commemorated the 111th ANZAC Day, with H.E. Ambassador Louise Searle and H.E. Ambassador Axel Wabenhorst leading a joint dawn service and wreath-laying ceremony at the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Heliopolis.

The ceremony was attended by members of the diplomatic corps; representatives of the Egyptian government and Armed Forces; and the Australian, New Zealand, and wider Commonwealth communities in , who gathered in solemn remembrance of those who served and sacrificed in times of war and conflict.

ANZAC Day marks the anniversary of the landing of Australian and New Zealand forces at Gallipoli in 1915 during the First World War. A defining moment that helped shape the national identities of both countries and gave rise to the enduring ANZAC spirit.

In her address, H.E. Searle highlighted the significance of commemorating ANZAC Day in Egypt, where Australian and New Zealand troops first trained and forged the bonds that shaped their shared legacy. She emphasised that ANZAC Day is not only a moment to honour past service, but also to recognise ongoing contributions to peacekeeping and humanitarian efforts. She further stressed the importance of international cooperation and respect for international law, while acknowledging the role of the Multinational Force and Observers in the Sinai in supporting regional stability.

Wreaths were laid in honour of the fallen, and the ceremony concluded with a reaffirmation of the enduring commitment to remembrance.

In the lead-up to the NPT Review Conference, Ambassador Louise Searle and H.E. Amr Elsherbiny, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Multilateral Affairs and International Security, discussed nuclear non-proliferation in the context of current regional and global challenges.

The discussion reaffirmed our shared commitment to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) as a cornerstone of the international security order and underscored the importance of collective efforts to uphold its three pillars, including nuclear disarmament.

As partners in the New Agenda Coalition, and support effective multilateral cooperation to reaffirm and implement the NPT’s obligations and commitments to advance the NPT’s founding vision of a world free of nuclear weapons.

Today we issued a SafeTravel message to New Zealand registrants in Lebanon. Our travel advice for Lebanon is Do Not Travel. When possible, and only if you asses it is safe to do so, depart Lebanon at the earliest opportunity while commercial flights remain available.

Updates on the status of airspace and airline operations were shared with registered Kiwis overnight. While attacks continue and airspace remains closed in many countries, our advice to New Zealanders is to shelter in place and leave when it is safe and possible to do so. Register on SafeTravel.govt.nz to stay informed and receive updates.

Having trouble registering? Follow our step-by-step instructions: https://www.safetravel.govt.nz/news/registering-on-safetravel-instructions

Read more here: mfat.govt.nz/middle-east

Our Embassies in the Middle East are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to provide support to New Zealanders. If you require urgent consular assistance, please call the New Zealand 24/7 Consular Emergency Line on +64 99 20 20 20.

Find info at www.mfat.govt.nz/middle-east

Today is Waitangi Day in New Zealand, marking the signing of Te Tiriti o Waitangi – the Treaty of Waitangi, between Māori Chiefs and the British Crown.

The nine original sheets of Te Tiriti o Waitangi are housed by the National Library of New Zealand.

Read more about Te Tiriti o Waitangi: https://natlib.govt.nz/he-tohu

📸 of Te Tiriti: Mark Beatty/National Library of New Zealand

Happy Holidays! 🎊
Please be advised that the New Zealand Embassy will be closed on Wednesday 31st of December and Thursday 1st of January for the New Year, and on Wednesday 7th of January for the Coptic Orthodox Christmas.

أطيب التمنيات بموسم الأعياد! 🎊
نُحيط سيادتكم علمًا بأن سفارة نيوزيلندا ستُغلق أبوابها يومي الأربعاء 31 ديسمبر والخميس 1 يناير احتفالًا بالعام الجديد، وكذلك يوم الأربعاء 7 يناير بمناسبة عيد الميلاد المجيد.

Merry Christmas! 🎄

Please be advised that the New Zealand Embassy will be closed on Thursday, 25 December for Christmas. We will reopen on Sunday, 28 December.

We wish everyone a safe and peaceful holiday.

عيد ميلاد مجيد! 🎄

نُحيط سيادتكم علمًا بأن سفارة نيوزيلندا ستُغلق أبوابها يوم الخميس 25 ديسمبر بمناسبة الميلاد المجيد، وسنُعاود العمل يوم الأحد 28 ديسمبر.

نتمنى للجميع عطلةً آمنةً وهادئة.