New Zealand’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Phil Goff joined ZB’s Mike Hosking ahead of an important week for the nation- King Charles III’s coronation and Chris Hipkins’ meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak brought the pair together again following their complicated history during Phil Goff’s run as mayor of Auckland.

Before taking on the role as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Phil Goff also held a number of portfolios; Minister of Justice, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Minister of Defence. When asked whether he preferred working in the local or international sphere, Phil Goff said he enjoyed both, and acknowledged their challenges.

“This is more an extension of what I was doing internationally at the time I was a Minister. But I’m really enjoying just getting out and meeting the New Zealanders- we’ve got about 70,000 of them across the United Kingdom, some fantastic people. And working with the Brits, I don’t think there’s any country on Earth that’s closer to New Zealand.”

The Friday evening before the coronation, Prime Minister Chris Hipkins will meet with his UK equivalent at 10 Downing Street to discuss the New Zealand- UK free trade agreement. The FTA was officially agreed in principle in 2021 and signed a year later, but Hipkins’ meeting with Rishi Sunak will ideally nudge its start date forward.

Phil Goff explained to Mike Hosking that the free trade agreement presents the chance to build on a market linked to a high-value economy. “This is a great deal for New Zealand with the United Kingdom, but it’s a great deal for the United Kingdom as well. We both benefit, we both gain advantage.”

Phil Goff is no stranger to King Charles either, having met the new ruler back when he was Prince of Wales in 2014. In future audiences with the King ahead of the coronation, Phil Goff would be just as impressed with Charles’ skills as a diplomat and his high opinion of the King is still apparent.

“I think he is the United Kingdom’s number one diplomat. People said thirty years ago[1]what’s this guy talking about with sustainability and environment? What he was talking about thirty years ago is now mainstream in the world. He was ahead of his time, he’s a person that wants to make a better world.”

Meetings with royalty aside, Phil Goff’s week has been full of other obligations, including speaking engagements and advocating for New Zealand’s successful future in the eyes of the UK.

“This job is about advocacy for your country, it’s about engaging with the Kiwis that are here, working with them, it’s about getting the best deals that we can for New Zealand.”