Wellington, New Zealand, March 2026 – The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade has announced the appointment of Craig John Hawke as Chief People Officer, marking a significant leadership transition as the Ministry strengthens its people and capability agenda to support New Zealand’s global diplomatic mission. In this role, Craig will lead people, capability, and human resources, enabling teams to thrive and effectively represent New Zealand’s interests internationally.
Prior to this appointment, Craig John Hawke served as New Zealand’s Ambassador to Germany, Czechia, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland, where he represented the country’s diplomatic and strategic interests across multiple European nations. His tenure reflected strong leadership in international relations and bilateral engagement.
Earlier, he held the prestigious role of New Zealand Permanent Representative and Ambassador to the United Nations, where he represented New Zealand at the UN in New York. In this capacity, he played a critical role in advocating for New Zealand’s positions on global issues including peace, security, development, and human rights.
Craig also served as Principal Advisor – Small Island Developing States at UNDP, where he provided strategic policy advice across UNDP’s global portfolio, supporting development outcomes for Small Island Developing States and contributing to international development initiatives.
He has had a long and distinguished career spanning over two decades with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade, including serving as Deputy Secretary – International Development, where he led New Zealand’s aid programme and managed development partnerships with countries worldwide. Over the years, he has held several senior leadership roles including Chief Operating Officer for the aid programme, Director roles across multilateral, humanitarian, and regional portfolios, and advisory roles to government leadership, along with international assignments in South Korea, Samoa, and Australia.
About New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs & Trade plays a central role in advancing New Zealand’s interests globally by building a safer, more prosperous, and sustainable future for its people. Headquartered in Wellington, with an office in Auckland and diplomatic representation in over 50 countries, the Ministry works across international diplomacy, trade, development, and global partnerships to support national priorities.
Guided by its mission to contribute to a secure and sustainable global environment, the Ministry continues to play a critical role in shaping New Zealand’s international engagement and development efforts.
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