Bernadette Cavanagh
Deputy Secretary, Pacific and Development Group
Bernadette Cavanagh returned to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) in August 2022 to take up the position of Deputy Secretary of the Pacific and Development Group. The Group oversees both New Zealand’s political and development relationships with Pacific partners, and our global development relationships.
Bernadette started her career at the New Zealand Defence Force and Ministry of Defence. In 2000, Bernadette joined MFAT and has held a number of roles including Deputy Secretary of the Multilateral and Legal Affairs Group. She has served offshore at the New Zealand Embassy in Moscow, New Zealand Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and as the New Zealand High Commissioner to Singapore.
From 2019 – 2022, Bernadette was Chief Executive of the Ministry for Culture and Heritage. The Ministry has responsibility for policy, legislation and funding for the government’s work in arts, culture, heritage, sport, media and broadcasting.