Student Roundtable: Journeys in Foreign Affairs: Reflections from Ireland and New Zealand
Paul O'Hara, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Ireland with Samuel Mani, Foreign Policy Officer, MFAT
Thursday, 4 September 2025 5:30pm
Wellington
Embassy of Ireland, Level 10, 86 Victoria Street, Wellington
The NZIIA Wellington Student Subcommittee invite student members to a special event hosted by the Embassy of Ireland –
Journeys in Foreign Affairs: Reflections from Ireland and New Zealand
Join members of the Embassy of Ireland Youth Council for a fireside chat between Paul O’Hara, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland, and Samuel Mani, Foreign Policy Officer and Desk Officer for Ireland, France and The Netherlands at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Paul and Samuel look forward to sharing stories from their careers so far as representatives of likeminded states with so much in common.
This event will be of particular interest to those considering a career in foreign affairs or the public sector more broadly.
Places are limited. To attend, please submit an expression of interest including a brief explanation of why you would like to join to:
studentrep.nziia.wellington@gmail.com
About Paul O'Hara:
Paul O’Hara has been Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Wellington since July 2023. He has also served in Malawi in southeast Africa and in a variety of roles in Dublin, both in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and in Ireland’s Revenue agency. Assignments have included Assistant Director, Brexit Readiness and Desk Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean. He studied History, Politics and International Relations at University College Dublin. He also holds a PGDip in Public Management and an MA in Leadership and Strategy, both awarded by the Institute of Public Administration, National University of Ireland.
About Samuel Mani:
Samuel Mani joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in early 2024, where he serves as Desk Officer for Ireland, France, and The Netherlands. Prior to this, he worked as a Financial and Consumer Rights Advocate at an NGO supporting New Zealand families to break the cycle of debt and poverty. He previously worked as an Immigration Officer. Samuel holds a BA in Politics and International Relations from Victoria University of Wellington, and an MA in International Relations from Leiden University in The Netherlands.
Terms and conditions
- Embassy security protocols will apply with further information sent to confirmed registrants.
- Applicants with receive confirmation by 2 September. You must receive a confirmation to attend. No walk-ups allowed.
- NZIIA Code of Conduct applies and the Institute expects a high standard of behaviour from members.
This event will be run under Chatham House rules. https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/chatham-house-rule.
Contact the Wellington branch
FOR ANY WELLINGTON BRANCH AND MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES OR WELLINGTON EVENT INFORMATION PLEASE EMAIL
nziia.wgtn.membership@gmail.comThe NZIIA Wellington Student Subcommittee invite student members to a special event hosted by the Embassy of Ireland –
Journeys in Foreign Affairs: Reflections from Ireland and New Zealand
Join members of the Embassy of Ireland Youth Council for a fireside chat between Paul O’Hara, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland, and Samuel Mani, Foreign Policy Officer and Desk Officer for Ireland, France and The Netherlands at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Paul and Samuel look forward to sharing stories from their careers so far as representatives of likeminded states with so much in common.
This event will be of particular interest to those considering a career in foreign affairs or the public sector more broadly.
Places are limited. To attend, please submit an expression of interest including a brief explanation of why you would like to join to:
studentrep.nziia.wellington@gmail.com
About Paul O'Hara:
Paul O’Hara has been Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Ireland in Wellington since July 2023. He has also served in Malawi in southeast Africa and in a variety of roles in Dublin, both in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and in Ireland’s Revenue agency. Assignments have included Assistant Director, Brexit Readiness and Desk Officer for Latin America and the Caribbean. He studied History, Politics and International Relations at University College Dublin. He also holds a PGDip in Public Management and an MA in Leadership and Strategy, both awarded by the Institute of Public Administration, National University of Ireland.
About Samuel Mani:
Samuel Mani joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in early 2024, where he serves as Desk Officer for Ireland, France, and The Netherlands. Prior to this, he worked as a Financial and Consumer Rights Advocate at an NGO supporting New Zealand families to break the cycle of debt and poverty. He previously worked as an Immigration Officer. Samuel holds a BA in Politics and International Relations from Victoria University of Wellington, and an MA in International Relations from Leiden University in The Netherlands.
Terms and conditions
- Embassy security protocols will apply with further information sent to confirmed registrants.
- Applicants with receive confirmation by 2 September. You must receive a confirmation to attend. No walk-ups allowed.
- NZIIA Code of Conduct applies and the Institute expects a high standard of behaviour from members.
This event will be run under Chatham House rules. https://www.chathamhouse.org/about-us/chatham-house-rule.
Membership
NZIIA membership is open to anyone interested in understanding the importance of global affairs to the political and economic well-being of New Zealand.