NZ China Council names former diplomat as Executive Director

The New Zealand China Council has appointed Alistair Crozier as its new executive director.

Alistair has had an extensive career in New Zealand-China diplomacy.  He established and led New Zealand’s first diplomatic post in Chengdu, Southwest China, serving as the foundation Consul-General from 2014 to 2019.  He was appointed New Zealand’s first Education Counsellor in China in 2003 and has served in a number of other diplomatic and policy roles for MFAT in China and the wider Asia-Pacific region.

Chairman John McKinnon says Alistair brings a formidable skill set and over a decade of experience to his new role at the New Zealand China Council.

“Alistair has considerable on-the-ground experience in China.  He has successfully navigated crises in education and food safety, negotiated market access for a range of export sectors and opened new opportunities for New Zealand in China.

“Alistair is well respected both in China and New Zealand for his leadership abilities, advanced fluency in Chinese language, commercial savviness, extensive networks and record in delivering results for New Zealand,” John says.

Most recently, Alistair was the South Island manager and business programme director at the Asia New Zealand Foundation, and worked as Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Christchurch.

The New Zealand China Council is a New Zealand-led, New Zealand-funded organization that acts as a cross-sector, peak body for the New Zealand-China relationship.