New Zealand High Commission - London, United Kingdom

04/09/2026

Great to discuss Durham University’s strong and growing interest in New Zealand and the Matariki Network of Universities (MNU). From collaborative research in space science, sustainability and agritech to deeper academic and cultural connections. The MNU brings together 6 internationally respected universities (including Durham and the University of Otago) committed to excellence in research-led education. With a shared commitment to addressing global challenges, Durham sees considerable potential to deepen collaboration with MNU institutions and build lasting academic, research and cultural connections between Durham and New Zealand. 🌏🎓

28/08/2026

🥝🎭🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 As the Edinburgh Fringe wraps for 2026, Kiwi creatives have been steadily represented across the programme. With over 25 comedy, theatre, music, family and physical performances in the past month, their presence has provided a clear snapshot of New Zealand performance on one of the world’s biggest arts stages!

27/08/2026

A wonderful evening marking the premiere of the new ITV and ITVX series ‘Gary Barlow’s Food and Wine Tour: New Zealand’, which brings the people, places and stories of New Zealand to millions of viewers across the UK.

Guests also enjoyed an exceptional menu curated by renowned Kiwi chef Melanie Brown, showcasing the diversity and quality of New Zealand’s food and wine 🍷

01/08/2026

Ten years ago, Taika Waititi and Carthew Neal brought Hunt for the Wilderpeople to audiences around the world. This week, Piki Films, Vertigo Releasing and the New Zealand High Commission partnered to launch the film’s return to UK cinemas with a special screening at Picturehouse Central. 🇳🇿🎬

A full house welcomed one of Aotearoa New Zealand’s most iconic films back to UK cinemas, with Taika Waititi, Julian Dennison and Rachel House reflecting on the film’s enduring appeal in a Q&A hosted by Chris Hewitt from Empire magazine.

Guests enjoyed New Zealand hospitality, including catering by Laundry Brixton, New Zealand wines, and a stirring performance by Ngāti Rānana.

With thanks to New Zealand Story for helping showcase New Zealand’s creativity to audiences around the world.

The evening honoured Sir Sam Neill, recognising the extraordinary legacy he leaves across New Zealand and international cinema.

Pretty majestical, aye.

23/07/2026

⚠️ Advice for New Zealanders considering transit through the Middle East

We advise against all non-essential transit travel through the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.

The security situation in the Middle East remains highly volatile and travellers could be stranded with little warning and few options.

Given this, we advise New Zealanders not to transit the Middle East, including through Dubai or Doha, unless their travel is absolutely essential and there are no other flight routes available through Asia or North America.

✈️ If you decide travelling through the region is necessary:

• Keep transit times to a minimum.
• Be prepared for flight cancellations, delays, and airspace closures.
• Check your travel insurance policy carefully, including any exclusions related to conflict or government travel advisories.

📞 New Zealanders requiring urgent consular assistance can contact the 24/7 Consular Emergency Line on +64 99 20 20 20.

To read our advisories in full for the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, visit www.safetravel.govt.nz.

22/07/2026

Just one day to go until the opening of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 🇳🇿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Here’s a reminder to all kiwis visiting Scotland to read our travel advice for the UK and the 2026 Commonwealth Games and register on SafeTravel.

Registering your travel on SafeTravel means you are kept in the loop on any emergency information during the Games.

🔗 SafeTravel registration: www.safetravel.govt.nz

🔗 Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games (venues, schedules, events, and ticket updates): www.glasgow2026.com

🔗 Visit Glasgow (tourist information and local advice): www.visitglasgow.com

🔗 New Zealand Team: www.olympic.org.nz

For updates about the New Zealand team, follow and

Fàilte gu Alba – Welcome to Scotland!

Official advice for New Zealanders living and travelling overseas.

21/07/2026

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🇳🇿 New Zealand High Commissioner to the UK, Hamish Cooper, recently visited Scotland as part of the High Commission’s ongoing engagement with the United Kingdom’s devolved nations.

The visit was an opportunity to strengthen relationships across government, business, science and innovation, and the primary sector, while hearing directly about Scotland’s economic priorities and areas of shared interest with New Zealand.

Engagements in Glasgow and Edinburgh promoted opportunities in trade, investment, innovation, education, forestry, agriculture and climate action. The High Commissioner also met First Minister John Swinney, and visited the Scottish Parliament, meeting Presiding Officer Kenneth Gibson and other Members of the Scottish Parliament.

The agricultural programme, led by Primary Industries Counsellor Sophia Murphy, included engagements at the Royal Highland Show with the Scottish Government, New Zealand exhibitors, and industry leaders to strengthen cooperation across the primary sector.

The programme also included a reception with New Zealanders living in Scotland, celebrating the strong connections between our communities.

The visit was made possible through the outstanding support of New Zealand’s Honorary Consul to Scotland, Alex Reedijk. We are grateful for his tireless work strengthening New Zealand’s relationships across Scotland.

21/07/2026

Congratulations, Fox! What a moment 🏆

We're enormously proud to celebrate Fox’s achievement at Royal Birkdale. Becoming the first New Zealander to win The Open in 63 years, and on one of the UK's most iconic sporting stages.

A special moment for New Zealanders everywhere, and especially for those of us cheering him on from here in the UK. 🇬🇧🇳🇿⛳️



Photos: Tom Jenkins/The Guardian

16/07/2026

🇳🇿🇬🇧 Strengthening parliamentary ties between New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives, Rt Hon Gerry Brownlee, is leading a cross-party parliamentary delegation to the United Kingdom, with visits to the UK Parliament in Westminster and the Senedd in Cardiff.

In Westminster, the delegation was warmly welcomed by Speaker of the House of Commons, Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, for formal meetings and a hosted dinner, reflecting the close and longstanding relationship between our two Parliaments.

The programme included attendance at Prime Minister’s Questions, alongside discussions with parliamentarians and parliamentary officials on trade, defence, international relations, parliamentary security, food and rural affairs, and strengthening parliamentary engagement between the United Kingdom, New Zealand and the Pacific.

New Zealand’s Parliament shares deep historical foundations with Westminster. Visits like these provide opportunities for parliamentarians to discuss how our institutions continue to evolve, exchange perspectives on common challenges, and strengthen the democratic institutions that serve our communities.

26/06/2026

A busy week for the New Zealand High Commission at London Climate Action Week 🌱🌏

We were pleased to support and participate in a range of discussions and events, including:

🎬 Co-hosting a screening with Tahi of Restoring the Balance, showcasing a leading nature-based approach to biodiversity and climate challenges in New Zealand

💬 Contributions to dialogue on climate and governance, including a panel with the Net Zero Lawyers Alliance and UK Environmental Law Association

🌏 Engagement with partners at the Aus–Pacific Pre-COP reception, strengthening regional connections ahead of COP

Thank you to all partners and participants for constructive and thoughtful engagement throughout the week.