Just at the airport and finally have a chance to post about the last two days in London! Today I had the chance to catch up with the Duke of Cambridge. We talked about a whole range of things but at the end I took the chance to share a bit of merch for the upcoming Rugby Women’s World Cup, which we’re hosting this year! Then it was onto a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer.
Yesterday the day started with a bit of tourism promotion, and then we spent a good couple of hours with Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, for a bilateral meeting – and to confirm an extension to the reciprocal Working Holiday/Youth Mobility Scheme we currently have with the UK. This will extend the age of eligibility from 30 to 35 years, and extend the length of visa from roughly two years to three years.
Then it was onto a foreign policy event at Chatham House, followed by reception with businesses connected to NZ trade, tourism and investment. It’s been a busy but great couple of days.
Just at the airport and finally have a chance to post about the last two days in London! Today I had the chance to catch up with the Duke of Cambridge. We talked about a whole range of things but at the end I took the chance to share a bit of merch for the upcoming Rugby Women’s World Cup, which we’re hosting this year! Then it was onto a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer.
Yesterday the day started with a bit of tourism promotion, and then we spent a good couple of hours with Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, for a bilateral meeting – and to confirm an extension to the reciprocal Working Holiday/Youth Mobility Scheme we currently have with the UK. This will extend the age of eligibility from 30 to 35 years, and extend the length of visa from roughly two years to three years.
Then it was onto a foreign policy event at Chatham House, followed by reception with businesses connected to NZ trade, tourism and investment. It’s been a busy but great couple of days.
Just at the airport and finally have a chance to post about the last two days in London! Today I had the chance to catch up with the Duke of Cambridge. We talked about a whole range of things but at the end I took the chance to share a bit of merch for the upcoming Rugby Women’s World Cup, which we’re hosting this year! Then it was onto a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer.
Yesterday the day started with a bit of tourism promotion, and then we spent a good couple of hours with Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, for a bilateral meeting – and to confirm an extension to the reciprocal Working Holiday/Youth Mobility Scheme we currently have with the UK. This will extend the age of eligibility from 30 to 35 years, and extend the length of visa from roughly two years to three years.
Then it was onto a foreign policy event at Chatham House, followed by reception with businesses connected to NZ trade, tourism and investment. It’s been a busy but great couple of days.
Just at the airport and finally have a chance to post about the last two days in London! Today I had the chance to catch up with the Duke of Cambridge. We talked about a whole range of things but at the end I took the chance to share a bit of merch for the upcoming Rugby Women’s World Cup, which we’re hosting this year! Then it was onto a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer.
Yesterday the day started with a bit of tourism promotion, and then we spent a good couple of hours with Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, for a bilateral meeting – and to confirm an extension to the reciprocal Working Holiday/Youth Mobility Scheme we currently have with the UK. This will extend the age of eligibility from 30 to 35 years, and extend the length of visa from roughly two years to three years.
Then it was onto a foreign policy event at Chatham House, followed by reception with businesses connected to NZ trade, tourism and investment. It’s been a busy but great couple of days.
Just at the airport and finally have a chance to post about the last two days in London! Today I had the chance to catch up with the Duke of Cambridge. We talked about a whole range of things but at the end I took the chance to share a bit of merch for the upcoming Rugby Women’s World Cup, which we’re hosting this year! Then it was onto a meeting with the Leader of the Opposition, Sir Keir Starmer.
Yesterday the day started with a bit of tourism promotion, and then we spent a good couple of hours with Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, for a bilateral meeting – and to confirm an extension to the reciprocal Working Holiday/Youth Mobility Scheme we currently have with the UK. This will extend the age of eligibility from 30 to 35 years, and extend the length of visa from roughly two years to three years.
Then it was onto a foreign policy event at Chatham House, followed by reception with businesses connected to NZ trade, tourism and investment. It’s been a busy but great couple of days.
So lovely to see Premier Dan Andrews while in Melbourne today! We spoke often during the pandemic@and always have plenty to talk about – today was no exception! We covered COVID recovery, early childhood education and transport to name a few. Thanks for having us! (And a happy birthday for your big 5-0 tomorrow!!)
This morning I had the chance to speak with President Zelensky. I passed on New Zealand’s solidarity, and our commitment to keep standing with Ukraine as they fight the illegal invasion of their country.
Finishing up for the day, just as your day in NZ begins! It’s been a big one.
Kicked off the day with a bilateral meeting with President Sánchez of Spain. We discussed important topics like the war in Ukraine, food security, seabird conservation (where we’re doing some work together) and of course the EU Free Trade Agreement we’re negotiating. Outside of the talks it was a chance to promote the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which we’re hosting next year. I also heard the President was a Rugby fan so gifted him an All Blacks AND Black Ferns jersey!
This afternoon I also presented the keynote speech at a Tech4Democracy Venture Day before heading into a bilateral with the French President, and then off to a dinner hosted by the Spanish King for those here in Madrid for the NATO Summit. A busy but productive day
Finishing up for the day, just as your day in NZ begins! It’s been a big one.
Kicked off the day with a bilateral meeting with President Sánchez of Spain. We discussed important topics like the war in Ukraine, food security, seabird conservation (where we’re doing some work together) and of course the EU Free Trade Agreement we’re negotiating. Outside of the talks it was a chance to promote the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which we’re hosting next year. I also heard the President was a Rugby fan so gifted him an All Blacks AND Black Ferns jersey!
This afternoon I also presented the keynote speech at a Tech4Democracy Venture Day before heading into a bilateral with the French President, and then off to a dinner hosted by the Spanish King for those here in Madrid for the NATO Summit. A busy but productive day
Finishing up for the day, just as your day in NZ begins! It’s been a big one.
Kicked off the day with a bilateral meeting with President Sánchez of Spain. We discussed important topics like the war in Ukraine, food security, seabird conservation (where we’re doing some work together) and of course the EU Free Trade Agreement we’re negotiating. Outside of the talks it was a chance to promote the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which we’re hosting next year. I also heard the President was a Rugby fan so gifted him an All Blacks AND Black Ferns jersey!
This afternoon I also presented the keynote speech at a Tech4Democracy Venture Day before heading into a bilateral with the French President, and then off to a dinner hosted by the Spanish King for those here in Madrid for the NATO Summit. A busy but productive day
Finishing up for the day, just as your day in NZ begins! It’s been a big one.
Kicked off the day with a bilateral meeting with President Sánchez of Spain. We discussed important topics like the war in Ukraine, food security, seabird conservation (where we’re doing some work together) and of course the EU Free Trade Agreement we’re negotiating. Outside of the talks it was a chance to promote the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which we’re hosting next year. I also heard the President was a Rugby fan so gifted him an All Blacks AND Black Ferns jersey!
This afternoon I also presented the keynote speech at a Tech4Democracy Venture Day before heading into a bilateral with the French President, and then off to a dinner hosted by the Spanish King for those here in Madrid for the NATO Summit. A busy but productive day
Finishing up for the day, just as your day in NZ begins! It’s been a big one.
Kicked off the day with a bilateral meeting with President Sánchez of Spain. We discussed important topics like the war in Ukraine, food security, seabird conservation (where we’re doing some work together) and of course the EU Free Trade Agreement we’re negotiating. Outside of the talks it was a chance to promote the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which we’re hosting next year. I also heard the President was a Rugby fan so gifted him an All Blacks AND Black Ferns jersey!
This afternoon I also presented the keynote speech at a Tech4Democracy Venture Day before heading into a bilateral with the French President, and then off to a dinner hosted by the Spanish King for those here in Madrid for the NATO Summit. A busy but productive day
Finishing up for the day, just as your day in NZ begins! It’s been a big one.
Kicked off the day with a bilateral meeting with President Sánchez of Spain. We discussed important topics like the war in Ukraine, food security, seabird conservation (where we’re doing some work together) and of course the EU Free Trade Agreement we’re negotiating. Outside of the talks it was a chance to promote the FIFA Women’s World Cup, which we’re hosting next year. I also heard the President was a Rugby fan so gifted him an All Blacks AND Black Ferns jersey!
This afternoon I also presented the keynote speech at a Tech4Democracy Venture Day before heading into a bilateral with the French President, and then off to a dinner hosted by the Spanish King for those here in Madrid for the NATO Summit. A busy but productive day
And just like that, we’re straight into a trade mission in Australia. The Australia New Zealand leadership forum is scheduled for this week so we have brought over a delegation of New Zealand exporters and businesses. We started with a welcome to country ceremony led by Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy, which was held at the MCG. A quick briefing with the business delegation and then an evening event with Global Victoria. Jet lag is starting to hit me hard, so I’ll spare you any attempts at a more creative caption till tomorrow!
And just like that, we’re straight into a trade mission in Australia. The Australia New Zealand leadership forum is scheduled for this week so we have brought over a delegation of New Zealand exporters and businesses. We started with a welcome to country ceremony led by Aunty Joy Wandin Murphy, which was held at the MCG. A quick briefing with the business delegation and then an evening event with Global Victoria. Jet lag is starting to hit me hard, so I’ll spare you any attempts at a more creative caption till tomorrow!
You may have seen the news that overnight we’ve secured a free trade agreement with the European Union. This deal has been in negotiations for four years! It will open up one of the largest global markets to New Zealand businesses, support our economic growth and increase the value of New Zealand exports by up to $1.8 billion a year once it’s fully implemented. Thank you to our Trade Minister Damien O’Connor, but especially to our trade negotiators who have been working tirelessly to make this happen. We have some incredible people working on New Zealand’s behalf and it makes me feel incredibly proud! And now, a big day in London as we progress the implementation of the UK Free Trade Agreement!
It’s 8pm in Madrid and we’re just about to head to Brussels for a big day tomorrow. Before we go, a quick recap on a busy day at the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Madrid.
While NZ has been represented at a summit before, it was the first time a group of countries from the Asia Pacific region were asked to attend so we took the chance to catch up before hand. I also had meetings with the leaders of Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. Each time the content was very similar – the war in Ukraine, climate change, and of course our free trade agreement negotiations with the EU.
This afternoon we all headed into the NATO summit. In my short speech I highlighted that New Zealand did not come to join a new military alliance, we came to try and create a world that doesn’t need to call on them. We stand with Ukraine and will keep doing what we can to oppose the war and support the Ukrainian people, but we are also hope that in this period we don’t lose sight of the need to keep pursuing our goals around nuclear disarmament (especially at a time when the inclination may be for proliferation.) And of course, climate change remains the biggest security issue we face as a region – and on this we must all work together!
And now, onwards to Brussels!
It’s 8pm in Madrid and we’re just about to head to Brussels for a big day tomorrow. Before we go, a quick recap on a busy day at the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Madrid.
While NZ has been represented at a summit before, it was the first time a group of countries from the Asia Pacific region were asked to attend so we took the chance to catch up before hand. I also had meetings with the leaders of Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. Each time the content was very similar – the war in Ukraine, climate change, and of course our free trade agreement negotiations with the EU.
This afternoon we all headed into the NATO summit. In my short speech I highlighted that New Zealand did not come to join a new military alliance, we came to try and create a world that doesn’t need to call on them. We stand with Ukraine and will keep doing what we can to oppose the war and support the Ukrainian people, but we are also hope that in this period we don’t lose sight of the need to keep pursuing our goals around nuclear disarmament (especially at a time when the inclination may be for proliferation.) And of course, climate change remains the biggest security issue we face as a region – and on this we must all work together!
And now, onwards to Brussels!
It’s 8pm in Madrid and we’re just about to head to Brussels for a big day tomorrow. Before we go, a quick recap on a busy day at the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Madrid.
While NZ has been represented at a summit before, it was the first time a group of countries from the Asia Pacific region were asked to attend so we took the chance to catch up before hand. I also had meetings with the leaders of Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. Each time the content was very similar – the war in Ukraine, climate change, and of course our free trade agreement negotiations with the EU.
This afternoon we all headed into the NATO summit. In my short speech I highlighted that New Zealand did not come to join a new military alliance, we came to try and create a world that doesn’t need to call on them. We stand with Ukraine and will keep doing what we can to oppose the war and support the Ukrainian people, but we are also hope that in this period we don’t lose sight of the need to keep pursuing our goals around nuclear disarmament (especially at a time when the inclination may be for proliferation.) And of course, climate change remains the biggest security issue we face as a region – and on this we must all work together!
And now, onwards to Brussels!
It’s 8pm in Madrid and we’re just about to head to Brussels for a big day tomorrow. Before we go, a quick recap on a busy day at the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Madrid.
While NZ has been represented at a summit before, it was the first time a group of countries from the Asia Pacific region were asked to attend so we took the chance to catch up before hand. I also had meetings with the leaders of Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. Each time the content was very similar – the war in Ukraine, climate change, and of course our free trade agreement negotiations with the EU.
This afternoon we all headed into the NATO summit. In my short speech I highlighted that New Zealand did not come to join a new military alliance, we came to try and create a world that doesn’t need to call on them. We stand with Ukraine and will keep doing what we can to oppose the war and support the Ukrainian people, but we are also hope that in this period we don’t lose sight of the need to keep pursuing our goals around nuclear disarmament (especially at a time when the inclination may be for proliferation.) And of course, climate change remains the biggest security issue we face as a region – and on this we must all work together!
And now, onwards to Brussels!
It’s 8pm in Madrid and we’re just about to head to Brussels for a big day tomorrow. Before we go, a quick recap on a busy day at the NATO Leaders’ Summit in Madrid.
While NZ has been represented at a summit before, it was the first time a group of countries from the Asia Pacific region were asked to attend so we took the chance to catch up before hand. I also had meetings with the leaders of Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. Each time the content was very similar – the war in Ukraine, climate change, and of course our free trade agreement negotiations with the EU.
This afternoon we all headed into the NATO summit. In my short speech I highlighted that New Zealand did not come to join a new military alliance, we came to try and create a world that doesn’t need to call on them. We stand with Ukraine and will keep doing what we can to oppose the war and support the Ukrainian people, but we are also hope that in this period we don’t lose sight of the need to keep pursuing our goals around nuclear disarmament (especially at a time when the inclination may be for proliferation.) And of course, climate change remains the biggest security issue we face as a region – and on this we must all work together!
And now, onwards to Brussels!
On my way to the airport for the last leg of the Australia trade mission. But first a recap on yesterday! We had a great business breakfast first thing where sustainability was the theme. Then it was off to meet the Premier of Victoria, Dan Andrews. Then a visit to Monash University to see the team who will be working with some of our kiwi businesses on product development for the Aussie market. And finally, a dinner last night to promote New Zealand food and beverage. Onto the next stop!
On my way to the airport for the last leg of the Australia trade mission. But first a recap on yesterday! We had a great business breakfast first thing where sustainability was the theme. Then it was off to meet the Premier of Victoria, Dan Andrews. Then a visit to Monash University to see the team who will be working with some of our kiwi businesses on product development for the Aussie market. And finally, a dinner last night to promote New Zealand food and beverage. Onto the next stop!
On my way to the airport for the last leg of the Australia trade mission. But first a recap on yesterday! We had a great business breakfast first thing where sustainability was the theme. Then it was off to meet the Premier of Victoria, Dan Andrews. Then a visit to Monash University to see the team who will be working with some of our kiwi businesses on product development for the Aussie market. And finally, a dinner last night to promote New Zealand food and beverage. Onto the next stop!
