The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is responsible for protecting and promoting New Zealand’s interests overseas. In tandem with its network of overseas posts, the Ministry works mainly with foreign governments on political, security, trade, travel and other issues affecting the wellbeing of New Zealanders. To be effective overseas, the Ministry needs good links with sector groups and other New Zealand organisations with foreign and trade policy interests. The Auckland Office helps the Ministry to develop stronger and better connections in the nation’s biggest city and commercial capital.
The Ministry opens doors to foreign trade by overcoming or reducing trade access barriers. It negotiates and protects access rules for New Zealand goods and services in overseas markets, analyses economic and political conditions and represents New Zealand interests.
Having helped to open the doors, the Ministry works closely with other agencies and organisations that help New Zealand go through them. For example, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise provides expertise, contacts and support to assist exporters expand their operations overseas
The Ministry’s Auckland Office deals with organisations in the city that have an interest in foreign and trade policies. It supplements and supports their interaction with the Ministry on foreign and trade policy developments which affect them.
This might include providing advice, making connections, or arranging specialised briefings with visiting New Zealand ambassadors, trade negotiators and foreign delegations.
As well as responding to information requests, the Auckland Office looks for opportunities to raise awareness of the government’s foreign and trade policy priorities. It does this by maintaining links with a range of key sectors.
The Office works with a range of Auckland interests, including:
The Director of the Auckland Office is one of the Ministry’s newest and, I believe, most interesting positions. The job was established in early 2005, and it entails meeting and working with those in the Auckland scene who take a close interest in aspects of foreign and trade policy. These links and the feedback received through the office assist the Ministry to appreciate the concerns and aspirations of people at the sharp end of government policy decisions.
Cooperation with Auckland organisations was also essential to a position I held in 1998-99. At the time I was the Executive Director of the APEC Task Force, responsible for the logistical arrangements when Auckland hosted the APEC Summit Meeting. Over the years, too, diplomatic postings in the Unites States, Thailand, Britain, Singapore, Malaysia and Viet Nam, have helped me to develop some appreciation of the needs of businesses seeking to gain and maintain access to overseas markets.
I welcome contact – either directly, or in association with other units of the Ministry – with Auckland organisations seeking dialogue with government on foreign and trade policy issues and concerns.
MFAT Auckland Office
Level 11, ANZ Centre
23-29 Albert Street
Auckland
or
P O Box 8680
Auckland 1150
Email: akl@mft.govt.nz
Phone: +64 9 303 5443
