Diplomat was a budget guitar and amplifier brand sold in New Zealand from the late 1960s through the 1970s. The guitars were manufactured in Japan by Arai & Company (Aria), which produced regional badge brands for various overseas distributors at a time when New Zealand's strict import regulations made domestically-distributed labels common. Diplomat sat alongside other Aria-made budget brands aimed at students and beginners, and was generally regarded as a step above its New Zealand competitor President, with features like bolt-on necks on its electrics.

The lineup included copies of popular American shapes, with Stratocaster, Telecaster, SG and bass models documented among collectors. Later Diplomat-branded amplifiers, including small practice combos such as the AL-615, AL-640 and EG-100, were produced in China and bear no direct connection to the original Japanese-made guitar line. Stevie Ray Vaughan is reported to have picked up a Diplomat Stratocaster during a 1986 visit to New Zealand, a piece of trivia that has helped keep the brand's name circulating among vintage Japanese-guitar enthusiasts.

Diplomat has 2 products cataloged on Equipboard, including Solid Body Electric Guitars and Semi-Hollowbody Electric Guitars. Their gear is featured by 1 artist, with the strongest followings in Rock and Blues. Notable users include Stevie Ray Vaughan.