Hamish Cooper

Hamish Cooper
Seed in 2009
New Zealand High Commissioner to the United Kingdom
Incumbent
Assumed office
5 September 2025
MonarchCharles III
Prime MinisterChristopher Luxon
Preceded byChris Seed
Personal details
University of Canterbury
ProfessionDiplomat

Hamish Cooper is a New Zealand diplomat who currently holds the office of High Commissioner of New Zealand to the United Kingdom.[1]

Biography

Early life and education

Cooper is a graduate of the University of Canterbury, where he studied English literature and American Studies. Subsequently, at the University of Pennsylvania he obtained his postgraduate degree and received a Fulbright-scholarship and the Canterbury Fellowship, which the University of Pennsylvania made for University of Canterbury graduates. In 1984 Cooper returned to New Zealand.[2]

Diplomatic career

Shortly after his return to New Zealand, he received two job offers, one from Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the other from the University of Canterbury. He chose the former and in 1985 began in 1985 in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in the hope to be able to work one day at the New Zealand embassy in Washington, D.C.. However, the ministry posted him to Japan and sent him for two years to Yokohama to be able to learn Japanese. After employment in the New Zealand High Commission in London he was New Zealand's Consulate-General in Osaka.[2]

Furthermore, Cooper held senior positions in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, including as Principal Advisor for Multilateral and Legal Affairs and Director of International Security and Disarmament.[3]

In 2013 Cooper began as ambassador to Armenia accredited for New Zealand, was subsequently was ambassador to Russia and Turkey. In 2019, he was sent to Japan as ambassador.[2]

In 2025 Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced that he had made the decision to remove Phil Goff from the post of High Commissioner in London. Cooper was announced as Goff's replacement.[4]

Personal life

Cooper is married to Los Angeles born and Hiroshima raised Misako Kitaoka, who works as public relations and marketing director. They have one son.[5]

References

  1. ^ "The New Zealand High Commission is happy to announce the arrival of our New High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Mr Hamish Cooper 🇳🇿🇬🇧 With a career in diplomacy, including two previous assignments in London, High Commissioner Cooper joins the team having most recently held the position of New Zealand's Ambassador to Japan. All reactions: 90 Zafer Güler Congratulations Ambassador 10w Guy Hughes Big congratulations 11w Michael O'Carroll Welcome to the UK Sir. 11w Jennifer Sano Congratulations Mr Cooper. 🇳🇿 11w". Facebook. New Zealand High Commission - London, United Kingdom. Retrieved 22 November 2025.
  2. ^ a b c "NZ Ambassador to Japan a familiar face", Christchurch College, 13 September 2023, retrieved 16 April 2026
  3. ^ "Ambassadors' Circle with New Zealand's Ambassador", Asia Society, 30 January 2025, retrieved 16 April 2026
  4. ^ "Hamish Cooper named as new ambassador to London to replace Phil Goff", Radio New Zealand, 30 May 2025, retrieved 16 April 2026
  5. ^ "USJC NY & Vicinity Region | Japanese Business Practice 101: A Practical (and Slightly Humorous!) Guide", U.S. Japan Council, 30 July 2025, retrieved 16 April 2026

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