New Ambassador to China announced

A career diplomat has been appointed to the role of Ambassador to China. A former High Commissioner to India, Grahame Morton has significant China experience in a range of MFAT roles.

Foreign Affairs Minister Nanaia Mahuta today announced on 15 September the appointment of Grahame Morton as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to China.

“Aotearoa New Zealand and China share a long and important relationship,” said Minister Mahuta. “We will continue to support New Zealand companies, including many iwi businesses, in order to further boost and diversify our growing exports, and provide greater economic security to all New Zealanders.

“We continue to engage directly with China on a range of regional and global priorities. As our links with China continue to grow, I know Mr Morton’s extensive experience across Asia will enhance our relations even further,” Nanaia Mahuta said.

Grahame Morton is a senior diplomat with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). He has served as High Commissioner to India, Principal Adviser on Americas and Asia, and as the divisional manager of North Asia Division.

Mr Morton was also the lead negotiator of the NZ-Singapore Enhanced partnership and he has led the whole of government New Zealand China Capable Public Sector Programme. He will take up his new role in December 2022.

According to his LinkedIn profile, between May 2018 and August 2018, Mr Morton was

Grahame Morton New Zealand’s new ambassador to China

Deputy Head of Mission at the New Zealand Embassy, Washington. In that role he undertook targeted US lobbying in support of major New Zealand economic and security objectives, including Congressional ratification of the KIWI Act, defence relations, Indo pacific policy, and the Pacific.

From March 2014 to January 2017, Mr Morton was New Zealand High Commissioner to India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal, where he led growth in education, tourism and fruit exports, and strengthened social and sporting ties. He led the New Zealand Consular response team following the devastating Nepal earthquake of 2015.

As Principal Adviser, Asia and Americas (February 2017 to October 2020) in Wellington, he provided strategic policy advice covering security, economic, and political issues across the Asia and Americas region.

In this role, he was also a member of the MFAT Overseas Investment Board, and a CEOs representative on the New Zealand China Council and Asia New Zealand Foundation boards.

As North Asia Divisional Manager/Director (December 2010 to March 2014), Mr Morton was responsible for New Zealand’s representation to China, Japan, South Korea, DPRK, Mongolia, Hong Kong and Macao. In this role he supported numerous high level political and economic engagements with China, Japan and Korea, and led New Zealand’s economic cooperation agreement engagement with Taiwan.

As Head of MFAT’s China Unit from August 2009 to December 2010, he led New Zealand policy development on China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia and Macao. He led cross government engagement strategy for the Shanghai Expo, supported the conclusion of the Hong Kong-New Zealand Closer Economic Partnership, and completed China-NZ negotiations in film co-productions, fisheries, political relations and food safety.

He served as First Secretary at the New Zealand Embassy Beijing from May 2004 to September 2007.