Foreign Affairs Minister Rt Hon Winston Peters announced the appointment of Bede Corry as New Zealand’s next High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. Mr Corry will take up his role in April 2020 replacing current High Commissioner Sir Jerry Mateparae. We will miss Sir Jerry and Lady Janine but we warmly welcome Bede Corry next year.

“The appointment of a senior diplomat to this important role underlines the significance New Zealand places on our relationship with the United Kingdom... New Zealand is currently working with the United Kingdom to shape our future relationship post-Brexit and Mr Corry is well qualified to lead this work,” Mr Peters said.

Bede commenced in the role of Deputy Chief Executive in late November 2015. Prior to that, he was Deputy Secretary Australia, Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa Group.

Bede Corry returned to MFAT in 2014 from the Ministry of Defence where he was Deputy Secretary for Policy and Planning from 2012 to 2014.

Before Defence, Bede had held a number of senior positions at MFAT, including as Ambassador to Thailand, Director of the Australia Division, Director of the Chief Executive’s Office, Counsellor at the Embassy in Washington, and Private Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

Bede is a graduate of Victoria University.