Connections: Hamilton

Sally Page

Current location: Wellington
Telephone: 04 439 8450
Email: sally.page@mfat.govt.nz

I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 2008 after completing my studies in Politics, International Trade and Italian at Auckland University. I also spent time travelling in Europe, Southeast Asia, and South America during breaks from university.

I grew up in Waiuku (100 km north of Hamilton) and have family and other connections in the Waikato region. I have a strong personal interest in seeing the region prosper, and believe that strengthening international linkages, both business and cultural, will help that happen.

I am currently in the Asia Regional Division at MFAT. My main responsibilities are oversight of the whole-of-government implementation of the New Zealand-China Free Trade Agreement, and more recently, the New Zealand-Hong Kong Closer Economic Partnership. In this role I have a lot of contact with New Zealand exporting and importing companies, and have learned much about the importance of Asia to New Zealand’s future.

As Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade contact for Hamilton I will:

• Be a contact point within MFAT for Hamilton residents with international interests, whether business, services, arts or other areas
• Act as a friendly MFAT guide, on topics that I know to be of interest to Hamilton
• Maintain an interest in Hamilton throughout my career and remember your interests while I am posted abroad
• Visit at least once every year while I am based onshore, before leaving to go on posting and during leave to New Zealand while based offshore