George Fergusson

The Hon. George Duncan Raukawa Fergusson (born September 30, 1955) is the British High Commissioner to New Zealand (NZ) and Samoa, and the Governor of the Pitcairn Islands. He took up his appointment in April 2006. He is due to succeed Richard Fell, CVO. [http://www.gnn.gov.uk/content/detail.asp?NewsAreaID=2&ReleaseID=186907 Government News Network press release] . The name "Raukawa" is Māori and reflects the history of Fergussons being appointed as Governor-General of New Zealand.

Fergusson joined the Northern Ireland Office in 1978. In 1988 he transferred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office as 1st Secretary (Political) in Dublin.

From 1991 to 1993, he was in the Soviet and then the Eastern Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. From 1994, he was 1st Secretary (Political/Information) in Seoul, and in 1996 he returned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London as Deputy Head of the Southern African Department. Later, in 1996, he became Head of the Republic of Ireland Department.

In 1999, Fergusson became Consul-General in Boston, and in 2003 seconded to the Cabinet Office as Head of the Foreign Policy Team.

He is married to the former Margaret Wookey, and they have three daughters. The couple also had a son, who died in 2005. Fergusson is the son of Lord Ballantrae, who was Governor-General of New Zealand from 1962 - 1967. There have been four Fergussons appointed as Governor-General of New Zealand by the Sovereign through to 2008 and since New Zealand now selects its own GG from its own citizens this is unlikely to change.

References

* [http://www.britishhighcommission.gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1082828873918 New High Commissioner has unique connections to New Zealand] , British High Commission New Zealand