The new British High Commissioner presented a letter of introduction to Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today, marking her official start in the role.

HE Iona Thomas OBE has more than 15 years of experience in the British government. In recent years she has worked in Pakistan, Libya and at the UK mission to the United Nations, as well as holding several senior roles at the Diplomatic Service in the UK.

“I am thrilled to be starting as High Commissioner to New Zealand,” she said. “I am also pleased to join the brilliant UK in NZ team at the High Commission in Wellington and the Consulate General in Auckland, and look forward to discovering beautiful Aotearoa New Zealand.”

The High Commissioner thanked the Prime Minister for her warm welcome and reiterated the UK’s commitment to the bilateral relationship. She used the short meeting to highlight some of her priorities. Ms Thomas joins the High Commission in the same year that the UK and New Zealand signed a free trade deal, currently before Parliament. The UK seeks to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and New Zealand has said it supports this ambition.

The UK and New Zealand have also been closely aligned in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and work together to tackle climate change, with New Zealand announcing last year a significant increase in its climate change aid contribution.

“The UK and NZ have a long and close partnership with shared values and deep people-to-people connections,” said the High Commissioner. “Both nations champion free trade, and an effective rules-based order. I look forward to building relationships here – including with Te Ao Māori – and further strengthening our joint approach to overcoming global challenges, such as climate change, global security and promoting development for Pacific nations.”

Ms Thomas replaces Ms Laura Clarke OBE, who left the post of High Commissioner last month.

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