STORY
Louise Cantillon has taken up her appointment as British High Commissioner to New Zealand and Governor of the Pitcairn, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands. She succeeds Iona Thomas OBE, who completed her tenure earlier in 2026. The appointment was initially announced on 14 August, with the British High Commission confirming on 26 August that Ms Cantillon had joined the diplomatic mission.
Ms Cantillon previously served as British Consul General in Sydney and Deputy Trade Commissioner for Asia Pacific, covering Australia and New Zealand. Her earlier career included trade and project management roles in China, work for the British Council across Asia and positions in the private sector. She is also a chartered surveyor.
The High Commissioner said she would work to strengthen trade, investment and cultural links between the two countries, alongside cooperation on security and wider challenges in the Indo Pacific region. The UK New Zealand Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force in May 2023, will form an important part of that work by providing tariff free access and supporting bilateral trade.