HE The Hon Chris Seed is a distinguished New Zealand diplomat and public servant, currently serving as the Acting High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. He was appointed to this role in March 2025, following the departure of Phil Goff. Seed’s extensive experience and deep understanding of international relations have made him an invaluable figure in New Zealand’s diplomatic landscape.
Born and raised in Waipukurau, Hawke’s Bay, Chris Seed attended Central Hawke’s Bay College before pursuing higher education at Massey University. He completed a Bachelor of Arts with Honours in 1983 and later earned a Master of Arts in History in 1984. His academic foundation laid the groundwork for a career marked by diplomacy and strategic policy-making.
Seed began his public service journey in 1984, joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1985. His early postings took him to Tehran, Canberra, London, and Papua New Guinea. He served as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea from 2001 to 2003 and later as High Commissioner to Australia from 2013 to 2018. His diplomatic assignments also included a secondment to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, reflecting his expertise in fostering trans-Tasman relations.
From 2004 to 2008, Chris Seed served as Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, where he oversaw policy and planning. In 2008, he returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade as Deputy Secretary, managing New Zealand’s relationships with Australia, the Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe. His leadership skills were further recognized in 2019 when he was appointed Chief Executive and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade. In this capacity, he led New Zealand’s international response to the COVID-19 pandemic, coordinated trade recovery efforts, and oversaw the evacuation of New Zealanders and eligible Afghan nationals from Afghanistan during Operation Whakahokina Mai in 2021.
After retiring in 2024, Chris Seed was honored as a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the King’s Birthday Honours for his exceptional contributions to public service. His return to serve as Acting High Commissioner to the UK in 2025 highlights his enduring commitment and reputation as one of New Zealand’s most accomplished diplomats.
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