Deborah Geels

Deborah Geels is a New Zealand diplomat. In 2024, she was appointed Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.

Early life and education Geels was born in Timaru and attended Sacred Heart Primary School and Roncalli College. She then moved to Christchurch to study international politics and economics at the University of Canterbury. From 1993 to 1995, she was posted to Vanuatu, and from 1997 to 2002 she served as the New Zealand Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva. From 2006 to 2008 Geels was Deputy Head of Mission to Beijing, China. Returning to Wellington at the end of her term in 2017, Geels held deputy secretary roles at the Ministry. In 2024, she was appointed New Zealand Permanent Representative to the United Nations in Geneva.