The United States has maintained a consular presence in New Zealand since 1838. The first consul was James Reddy Clendon. Born in England, Clendon was a ship owner and merchant who bought land and settled in the Bay of Islands, New Zealand. In 1838 he was appointed by the federal government of the United States as consul for New Zealand. He was based at his property at Okiato, which in 1840 became the capital and was renamed Russell (not to be confused with present-day Russell). He held this position until 1841. On July 16, 2021 President Joe Biden nominated former Senator Tom Udall to serve as United States Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. He was confirmed by the Senate on October 26, 2021 and the start of his tenure began on December 2, 2021. The Ambassador to New Zealand is also accredited to Samoa though resident in Wellington. List of United States ambassadors to New Zealand See also Embassy of the United States, Wellington New Zealand - United States relations Samoa - United States relations Foreign relations of New Zealand Foreign relations of Samoa Ambassadors of the United States Contents of the United States diplomatic cables leak (New Zealand) References United States Department of State: Background notes on New Zealand United States Department of State: Background notes on Samoa External links United States Department of State: Chiefs of Mission for New Zealand United States Department of State: Chiefs of Mission for Samoa United States Department of State: New Zealand United States Department of State: Samoa United States Embassy in Wellington United States New Zealand Main United States