Great to have eminent NZ playwright, author, cartoonist and journalist, Tom Scott, in town for the opening night of his play The Daylight Atheist.

Good to meet Isla Clarkson and Jimmy Fiso, law students at Victoria University, winners of the National Client Interviewing Competition in NZ who are on their way to compete against the world’s best in the international competition in Poland.

With colleagues, Ambassadors for Finland and Sweden and FCDO Minister Trevelyan marking the two nations joining NATO. Sweden has done so after nearly 200 years of being neutral indicating the huge concern in Europe at growing Russian authoritarianism and aggression.

Always good to catch up with Foreign Minister, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, to discuss the key areas where we work together as nations globally.

New Zealand’s thoughts are this morning with the Princess of Wales following the news of her cancer diagnosis. I know Kiwis across the world will be wishing her well in her recovery.

Honoured to have been invited to address the Girdlers’ Livery Dinner and to celebrate with past and present NZ Girdler Scholarship winners from Corpus Christi College Cambridge and Green Templeton College Oxford. Thanks to the Girdlers for support and great 70 year relationship.

Great to talk to a really smart group of students from Durham University about foreign affairs and New Zealand.

Spending this weekend in York attending as an observer at the Liberal Democrat Spring Conference. The High Commission attends the conferences of the three parties. Great opportunity to advocate for NZ and hear different perspectives.

Five years on from the terrorist attack in Christchurch, my thoughts are with the families and friends of those lost, those injured and the entire Muslim community in New Zealand who responded to this horrific event with such courage and fortitude.

When I visited Christchurch…

We held an interfaith gathering at the central Brent mosque in London today to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the killing of 51 New Zealand Muslims in Christchurch 5 years ago. The terrorist’s actions only strengthened our commitment to uniting around our common humanity.

Sad to mark the passing of former Speaker of the House and High Commissioner to the UK Jonathan Hunt ONZ.

Full house at the New Zealand Australia UK Free Trade Agreement roadshow launch in Birmingham. Pleasure to take part in a lively panel discussion with High Commissioners Stephen Smith and Vicki Treadell. A lot of interest from businesses in expanding trade.

Interesting discussion today on CPTPP and trade issues with shadow Secretary for Trade Jonathan Reynolds and fellow High Commissioners from Canada and Singapore, Ralph Goodale and Ng Tek Hean.

Thoughtful speech by David Cameron promoting International Women’s Day. He stressed the need for recognition of women’s rights to control their sexual and reproductive health and active policies to promote women’s roles in leadership.

Happy St David’s Day to all our Welsh friends!

NZ today scored a respectable 26th out of 193 countries ranked for effective use of soft power to influence other countries. Pictured with David Downs, CEO of the NZ Story.

Thank you Embassy of Ukraine to the UK, U.S. Embassy London and all those involved in bringing together the community in London to #StandWithUkraine 🇺🇦

New Zealand has today announced further support for Ukraine, read more here ⬇
beehive.govt.nz/release/nz-ann…

Feb 24 marks two years since Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

🇳🇿 has announced further support for 🇺🇦. Included is NZ Defence Force's continued commitment to the international training programme, hosted by the 🇬🇧 Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Learn more ⬇
beehive.govt.nz/release/nz-ann…

Shocked to hear of sudden death of my former colleague at Council, Fa’anana Efeso Collins. Deepest sympathy to his wife Fia and his daughters for their loss.

Saddened to hear of Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s death. He was a fierce advocate of freedom and anti-corruption.

New Zealand has had longstanding concerns over Russia’s repression of political opposition and declining freedom of expression. Both are critical…