John Pearson is a career Diplomat with 33 years experience and numerous overseas postings. Just 2 months into his deployment he is Acting High Commissioner while Iona Thomas has been visiting Pitcairn Island where she is dedicating a new marine protected area.
John’s role requires him to travel widely throughout New Zealand to garner views on the
relationships between our two countries. As he has found, there is much shared history and
we have similar values that influence how we think and respond on the world stage. Both
believe strongly in global responses to global problems and challenges. This could include
championing free trade, taking action on climate, our oceans, terrorism and hostile actions
of states against others. The UK published a document called The Integrated Review in 2021
and the New Zealand Government published our National Security Strategy last month. Both
show there are areas of common interest and approach.
The United Kingdom’s diplomatic presence in the Pacific has expanded significantly in recent
times, learning from the mistakes of the past, and Commissions are often co-located with
New Zealand counterparts. From these posts our two countries can work closely on issues
that are important to the Pacific, acknowledging the benefits of New Zealand’s close ties
and understanding of the region.
Our two countries are champions for the opening of trade. The new Free Trade Agreement
and the UK inclusion in the CPTTP are signals of what the UK wants to achieve with our
shared relationship. There is also an aspiration for UK to be a global hub for innovation and
the New Zealand partnership is seen as integral to achieving this vision. For example, the
NZUK Science Research and Innovation Arrangement is a collaboration focussed on reducing
emissions in the agricultural sector. UK is hosting the international summit on AI safety later
this year and New Zealand will be attending.
relationships between our two countries. As he has found, there is much shared history and
we have similar values that influence how we think and respond on the world stage. Both
believe strongly in global responses to global problems and challenges. This could include
championing free trade, taking action on climate, our oceans, terrorism and hostile actions
of states against others. The UK published a document called The Integrated Review in 2021
and the New Zealand Government published our National Security Strategy last month. Both
show there are areas of common interest and approach.
The United Kingdom’s diplomatic presence in the Pacific has expanded significantly in recent
times, learning from the mistakes of the past, and Commissions are often co-located with
New Zealand counterparts. From these posts our two countries can work closely on issues
that are important to the Pacific, acknowledging the benefits of New Zealand’s close ties
and understanding of the region.
Our two countries are champions for the opening of trade. The new Free Trade Agreement
and the UK inclusion in the CPTTP are signals of what the UK wants to achieve with our
shared relationship. There is also an aspiration for UK to be a global hub for innovation and
the New Zealand partnership is seen as integral to achieving this vision. For example, the
NZUK Science Research and Innovation Arrangement is a collaboration focussed on reducing
emissions in the agricultural sector. UK is hosting the international summit on AI safety later
this year and New Zealand will be attending.