- High Commission of New Zealand, London
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For the legislature of New Zealand, see New Zealand House of Representatives.
High Commission of New Zealand in London
Te Kāinga Māngai Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa i Rānana
Location London SW1Y 4TE Address The Haymarket High Commissioner Derek Leask The High Commission of New Zealand in London (in Māori: Te Kāinga Māngai Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa i Rānana) is housed in a skyscraper known as New Zealand House in The Haymarket, London, off Pall Mall. As well as containing the offices of the High Commissioner, the building also hosts the New Zealand consulate in London and the military attaché.
The High Commission was built by Holland, Hannen & Cubitts in 1959 on the derelict site of the Carlton Hotel, destroyed by a bomb during the Blitz. New Zealand House was to be the main diplomatic representation for the New Zealand government, and no expense was spared in its construction. The design differed from the other diplomatic buildings of other Commonwealth countries in that it would be a modern skyscraper, designed by Sir Robert Matthew. After difficulties in planning permission, the 18 storey building was constructed only after permission was granted by the British Cabinet. It is the only tall building in this part of London, and remains controversial.
It is an overseas post of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. The current High Commissioner to the United Kingdom is His Excellency Mr Derek Leask, who is also New Zealand's ambassador to the Republic of Ireland, and in addition, is accredited to Nigeria. The current Deputy High Commissioner is Belinda Brown. New Zealand House is staffed by a team of 20 diplomats and local staff. The focus of the High Commission's work is managing New Zealand's political, economic and trade relations with the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.
The Māori cultural group Ngati Ranana is based at the High Commission. The nearest Tube stations to New Zealand House are Piccadilly Circus and Charing Cross.
See also
External links
Categories:- Diplomatic missions in London
- Skyscrapers in Westminster
- Buildings and structures in Westminster
- Diplomatic missions of New Zealand
- New Zealand–United Kingdom relations
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