The United States - New Zealand Council was founded in 1986 to promote a better understanding of New Zealand in the United States, and to foster communication, friendship and co-operation between the two countries.

The Council was the inspiration of former U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, Anne Martindell. Serving as the Council's first President, Ambassador Martindell assembled a board of directors which included distinguished figures from American diplomatic, academic and business circles.

In establishing the Council, Ambassador Martindell said "It is my hope that this Council will seek to strengthen the ties that bind our two democratic countries together in as many ways as our imagination can lead us." 

Ambassador Martindell was succeeded as President by another former U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand, Paul Cleveland.  Ambassador Cleveland had been assigned to New Zealand during the late 1980s. 

In 2001, Ambassador Cleveland was succeeded by Fred Benson, a former Vice President for Federal and International Affairs at Weyerhaeuser. 

Fred Benson was succeeded by John Mullen as President of the Council in 2004.   Mr. Mullen, the current Council President is an attorney who had a distinguished career in government (USAID) and international business prior to joining the Council.  He was instrumental in the establishment of the Friends of New Zealand Congressional Caucus in the House of Representatives in 2005 and initiated the Council’s signature event, the US-NZ Partnership Forum in 2006.

Anne Martindell was chair emeritus until her death at the age of 93 in 2008 and attended the first two Partnership Forums.  Ambassador Cleveland continues to serve as Chairman of the Board, and Fred Benson, although having recently retired from the Board, continues to be a friend of the Council.

The Council offices are located 1801 F Street NW, Washington D.C, in the DACOR Bacon House. Built in 1824-1825 the historic house and its strong ties with peaceful diplomatic efforts, provides an apt base of operations for the Council.