Louise Cantillon has been appointed British High Commissioner to
New Zealand and Governor of the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie &
Oeno Islands.
Louise Cantillon joins the British High Commission following a
distinguished career across UK Government. Most recently, she
served as British Consul General Sydney and Deputy Trade
Commissioner Asia Pacific (Australia & New Zealand).
The High Commissioner will focus on supporting greater trade and
investment between the UK and New Zealand, building on the
opportunities created by the Free Trade Agreement. She will also
work with partners across government, business and civil society
to promote economic growth, strengthen collective security, and
address global challenges affecting the Indo-Pacific region and
beyond.
She said:
I am delighted to be taking up my role as UK High Commissioner to
Aotearoa New Zealand. The UK and New Zealand share a close and
enduring partnership, and I look forward to meeting people across
the country and further strengthening the ties between our
nations.
The UK and New Zealand are natural partners with shared values,
strong economic links and deep connections between our peoples. I
look forward to working closely with communities, government, and
businesses across New Zealand to unlock new opportunities for
growth and innovation, while strengthening our cultural
connections and shared prosperity.
At a time of increasing global uncertainty, our commitment to a
strong rules-based international system has never been more
important. Together, the UK and New Zealand can continue to
champion our free trade agreement, support regional and global
security, and work with partners to address the challenges facing
our world.
The appointed High Commissioner succeeds Ms Iona Thomas OBE who
completed her tenure earlier this year.
Further information
- the UK-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement (FTA) was signed on
28 February 2022 and entered into force on 31 May 2023. It is a
landmark agreement that supports economic growth, strengthens
trade and investment links, and delivers tariff-free access
