New Zealand is home away from home for Paul O’Hara.
The Wellington-based diplomat is deputy head of mission at the Embassy of Ireland, and last week, along with consular officer Ciara Doran, visited Ashburton as part of a pop-up Consulate visit.
O’Hara is midway through a three year posting, keen to promote Ireland and connect with his fellow countrymen living, working or visiting New Zealand.
It included visits to the regions, like last week when the pair were visited Ashburton library, laden with Irish mementos including the Irish-produced Barry’s Tea and Tayto potato crisps.
The visit was to field public enquiries, mostly from people with Irish heritage. Questions on citizenship, working holidays and tourism opportunities were expected to be top of the list.
O’Hara, 36, said it was about being visible and connecting with Irish people living in New Zealand, many who worked in agricultural fields.
About 18,000 Irish-born people lived in New Zealand, and about one in six people had Irish ancestry, he said.
‘‘It’s important to acknowledge them,’’
The pair had been in Christchurch the day before where they attended a programme event for The New Zealand Rose of Tralee; Ciara Jo Hanlon of Wellington was eventually named the winner at the final was on Saturday night.
This week O’Hara and Doran were in Nelson.
O’Hara said most visits were planned around an event such as an upcoming trip to Hamilton timed for the annual Fieldays at Mystery Creek from June 11 to 14.
He said it was the second series of visits taken around the country since he had been in the role; five regions were visited last year, and this year they planned to visit seven.
O’Hara was born in Ireland, while Doran had Irish-born parents, which automatically ensured her access to an Irish passport, and any of her future children.
It was one of the questions fielded during their session in Ashburton; whether the daughter of an Irish-born man could get an Irish passport. Yes, she could, providing his passport was current. The man was encouraged to apply online.
O’Hara said the benefits around having a passport to the homeland was about connection and identity.
There were also perks such as the common travel area agreement between Ireland and United Kingdom.
He said working holidays in Ireland had appeal to Kiwis aged 18 to 30. It was a one-year visa in any sector, and he said many young workers in the agricultural industry travelled in both directions between New Zealand and Ireland.
