The UK-NZ Partnership in Uncertain Times
HE Ms Iona Thomas, British High Commissioner to New Zealand
Thursday, 11 September 2025 4:00pm - 5:30pm
Christchurch
University of Canterbury Campus - room to be advised
The NZIIA Christchurch Branch is welcoming the British High Commissioner to New Zealand on Thursday, 11 September. This event will include a presentation by the High Commissioner, followed by a Q&A session, and then networking with complimentary food. The event will take Place on the University of Canterbury Campus, with the exact location of the event to be shared on a closer date. For now, please find the following extract, and RSVP for the event via register to the event button.
"Iona Thomas was appointed British High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor of the Pitcairn Islands in August 2022.
She previously served as Political Counsellor at the British High Commission in Islamabad, where she led on domestic and regional politics, counter-terrorism, and Justice and Home Affairs. Prior to that, she was Additional Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London.
From 2015 to 2017, Iona was Deputy Head of Mission in Tripoli, playing a key role in re-establishing the UK’s permanent presence in Libya—a contribution for which she was awarded an OBE. Before that, she was the Spokesperson for the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York between 2012 and 2015.
Her earlier roles in London include serving as Private Secretary to Baroness Warsi and leading the Afghan Political Team at the FCO. Before joining the diplomatic service, she worked at the Department for Communities and Local Government, including as Private Secretary to the Secretary of State and on counter-terrorism policy.
Iona holds a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics and a BA in Literae Humaniores from the University of Oxford."
The NZIIA Christchurch Branch is welcoming the British High Commissioner to New Zealand on Thursday, 11 September. This event will include a presentation by the High Commissioner, followed by a Q&A session, and then networking with complimentary food. The event will take Place on the University of Canterbury Campus, with the exact location of the event to be shared on a closer date. For now, please find the following extract, and RSVP for the event via register to the event button.
"Iona Thomas was appointed British High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor of the Pitcairn Islands in August 2022.
She previously served as Political Counsellor at the British High Commission in Islamabad, where she led on domestic and regional politics, counter-terrorism, and Justice and Home Affairs. Prior to that, she was Additional Deputy Director for the Middle East and North Africa at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London.
From 2015 to 2017, Iona was Deputy Head of Mission in Tripoli, playing a key role in re-establishing the UK’s permanent presence in Libya—a contribution for which she was awarded an OBE. Before that, she was the Spokesperson for the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York between 2012 and 2015.
Her earlier roles in London include serving as Private Secretary to Baroness Warsi and leading the Afghan Political Team at the FCO. Before joining the diplomatic service, she worked at the Department for Communities and Local Government, including as Private Secretary to the Secretary of State and on counter-terrorism policy.
Iona holds a Master’s degree from the London School of Economics and a BA in Literae Humaniores from the University of Oxford."
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NZIIA membership is open to anyone interested in understanding the importance of global affairs to the political and economic well-being of New Zealand.