United States Ambassador to New Zealand

Ambassador of the United States to New Zealand and Samoa
Seal of the United States Department of State
Incumbent Mark Gilbert since December 2014
Nominator	President of the United States
Inaugural holder	Patrick J. Hurley as Envoy
Formation	April 24, 1942
Website	U.S. Embassy - Wellington

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.

The Ambassador to New Zealand is also accredited to Samoa though resident in Wellington.