New NZIIA Executive Director Appointed

She takes up the position immediately, replacing Dr Hamish McDougall, who is stepping down after four years in the role.

Announcing the appointment on behalf of the Institute Board, Chair Dr James Kember noted Catherine’s expertise in foreign and trade policy, and her work in the public, private, academic and think-tank sectors.   Catherine was a diplomat at New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade for 10 years, that included postings in New York, Geneva and Pretoria. While living in South Africa, she was also the programme head for economic diplomacy at the South African Institute of International Affairs and consulted on a range of international trade and development projects.

More recently, she has lectured on international trade at the Public Policy Institute at the University of Auckland, taught online courses at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), written and researched on a range of international topics, and consulted on and delivered international trade and development projects for the New Zealand and Australian Governments, and the European Union. 

Catherine reports to the national Board and oversees NZIIA’s strategy, national operations, finance, governance and administration, working closely with NZIIA regional branches and a range of external stakeholders to foster knowledge and discussion of international affairs as they affect New Zealand.

“We very much look forward to working with someone of Catherine’s calibre in promoting the objectives of the Institute”,  James Kember said.   “We also thank Dr McDougall for his able stewardship of the role in recent years.”