On 5 June 2025, a reception was held in Wellington to celebrate the 79th anniversary of the Italian Republic. The event, held at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery, one of the capital’s most prestigious cultural institutions, was also an opportunity to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and New Zealand.
Over 260 guests attended the reception, including representatives from the political, cultural, business and civil society circles, as well as from the Italian community and the Diplomatic Corps.
Following the performance of the Italian and New Zealand national anthems by soprano Barbara Graham, speeches were delivered by the Ambassador of Italy in Wellington Cristiano Maggipinto and the Amb. Jeremy Clarke-Watson, Chief of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, who represented the New Zealand government. Both emphasised the excellent state of bilateral relations between the two countries. Hosting the reception at the New Zealand Portrait Gallery offered guests the opportunity to take part in the celebrations in an evocative and engaging setting, further enriched by the current exhibition dedicated to Māori culture.
The event highlighted the value of cultural diplomacy and served as the opening of a series of cultural initiatives that, in partnership with other prestigious local institutions, will mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and New Zealand in the coming months. Additional Republic Day celebrations were organised in Wellington by the Garibaldi Club, the Circolo Italiano in Wellington and by the Club Italiano in Nelson.
