Chris Seed

Chief Executive and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Chris Seed took up the role of Chief Executive and Secretary in February 2019.

Prior to taking up this position, Chris spent five years (2013-2018) as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Australia.

Chris first joined MFAT in 1985. He was Deputy Secretary for the Australia, Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa Group from 2008-2013. His earlier career included assignments in Tehran, Canberra, London and Papua New Guinea, where he was High Commissioner.

Chris also spent some time in the Ministry of Defence as Deputy Secretary, Policy and Planning from 2004-2008.

In addition to a number of roles in Wellington, Chris has served with the International Peace Monitoring Team in the Solomon Islands, the New Zealand delegation to the UN General Assembly and was seconded to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.