Karlene is New Zealand’s Consul General Designate and Trade Commissioner to Viet Nam, responsible for facilitating and promoting trade and investment and maintaining an extensive network of business relationships relevant to New Zealand businesses. Karlene will take up her role based in Ho Chi Minh City in early December 2016.
Karlene has held a number of other international roles at NZTE since 2003, including Regional Director for South America based in Sao Paulo; Trade Commissioner for Thailand, Cambodia, Myanmar and Laos based in Bangkok; and International Market Manager for South and South East Asia. There she was instrumental in developing strategies for expanding NZTE's services in the East Asia region.
Karlene has held senior management roles in the public and private sectors across strategy, business unit establishment, project management, change management and private sector risk management.
Most recently she was NZTE’s Director of International Operations, leading the development of systems and processes to help NZTE’s international teams support New Zealand companies overseas.
Karlene holds a Master of Business Administration from Victoria University in Wellington.

Wendy Matthews arrived in Ha Noi in December 2016 to take up the post of New Zealand Ambassador to Viet Nam.
Wendy is a career diplomat. During her time in the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade she has worked on a wide range of issues, including international law, development assistance, and trade negotiations. Wendy held a senior position in the New Zealand team negotiating the ASEAN, Australia New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (AANZFTA). Previous appointments include postings to New Delhi as Deputy High Commissioner (2011-2014) and Beijing (2005-2007).
Her most recent position was Unit Manager of the Asia Pacific Regional Integration Division. This role involved growing and strengthening New Zealand's relationship with ASEAN. The role also managed New Zealand's participation in important political, security and economic regional fora such as APEC, ASEAN Regional Forum and the East Asia Summit.
Wendy graduated from the University of Otago with Bachelor of Law (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science). Wendy is a Mandarin speaker.