New Zealand will open its first embassy in Brazil today.
New ambassador Denise Almao says her main focus will be trade policy - including working with the Brazilian Government to scrap the requirement for New Zealanders to have visas - but her immediate job is to prepare for Prime Minister Helen Clark's visit to South America in November.
It is Ms Almao's first role as an ambassador.
Setting up the embassy, in Brasilia, has cost about $1 million and it will cost about $1.6 million a year to operate.
Ms Almao, 56, says the job of promoting trade with Brazil is Trade New Zealand's, but trade policy will be her main focus and increasing New Zealand exports to Brazil her goal.
NZ embassy in Brazil to open
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