Within the Pacific and Develpment Group of MFAT leads a team of 10 dedicated to improving the resilience and sustainability of ocean-derived livelihoods, economic and environmental well-being across the Pacific. Key focus on sustainable management of fisheries and adaptation and mitigation of ocean impacts of climate change. Previous roles: Jan 2021-Jan 2022 Ministry of Health Group Manager COVID-19 Strategy and Policy. July-Dec 2020 Project Lead for COVID-19 Continuous Improvement at Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Sept 2018 to May 2020 Special Representative of the Commonwealth Clean Ocean Alliance (Wellington-based) leading its international engagement to combat marine plastic pollution, particularly in small island states. Member of Plastics Advisory Panel of the Prime Minister's Chief Science Adviser, 2019, for "Rethinking Plastics in Aotearoa New Zealand", December 2019: https://www.pmcsa.ac.nz/our-projects/plastics/rethinking-plastics-in-aotearoa-new-zealand/July 2012 to August 2018 Divisional Director of South and South East Asia Division, at MFAT, after serving as Acting Director since August 2011. Chief Negotiator of New Zealand-Singapore Enhanced Partnership, formal negotiations concluded August 2018. Founder of Maui's Ark, a forum to coordinate cross-sectoral, international action to protect and promote healthy oceans: www.mauisark.org. MFAT since 2001, after a 20-year career as a political and economic journalist, including with Radio NZ, the National Business Review, the Dominion and the Auckland Star. Worked overseas for Radio Deutsche Welle, Cologne (1994-96) and as Germany Correspondent for the South China Morning Post (1994-96) and the US Journal of Commerce (1994). From 1990-92 Executive Assistant (Media) to Hon. Philip Burdon, Minister for Trade Negotiations and Minister of Commerce and Industry. Since joining MFAT in 2001 served, from 2008-11, as Deputy Director of the Middle East and Africa Division (with particular responsibility for Afghanistan policy), Deputy Head of Mission in Berlin (2004-2008) and Manager of the Trade Policy Liaison Unit (2001-04). Graduated Bachelor of Arts in politics and history from Auckland University and BA with First Class Honours in public administration and international relations from Victoria University of Wellington, NZ. In 1989-90 studied development economics and government at Harvard University as a Frank Knox Fellow. Author of ‘Under a Bomber’s Moon: The True Story of Two Airmen at War Over Germany’, (published NZ and Australia in 2009 and the UK in 2011.)