Tea With The High Commission

For our latest episode, Natasha Beckman - Director British Council New Zealand and the Pacific - talks to acclaimed author Bernardine Evaristo. While in town for the Auckland Writers Festival, she talked about returning to New Zealand, winning the Booker Prize, and her advice for budding young writers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Tea with the High Commission, we talk to advocate for peace and forgiveness, Farid Ahmed. Farid talks about his book, Husna's Story, his role in his community and the power of forgiveness.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Tea with the High Commission, we talk to New Zealand scientist, Dr Theresa Pankhurst. Dr Pankhurst has been conducting medical research at the UK’s Babraham Institute since the start of April 2023. To celebrate her first 2 weeks of medical research in the UK, and on the day that she speaks at her first medical conference in the UK, we’re pleased to share this interview with her.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Tea with the High Commission, we talk to British Tenor, Paul Potts ahead of the 50 Golden Years of Musicals tour in New Zealand this month. Paul talks about his appreciation for New Zealand, the upcoming tour and reflecting on his time performing for Her Late Majesty The Queen.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Tea with the High Commission, we talk to CEO and Founder of Mint Innovation - Dr Will Barker.         Mint Innovation plan to tackle climate change and pollution by turning e-waste into gold and we discuss the Kiwi company's work in NZ and plans for the UK.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Tea with the High Commission, we talk to the Permanent Secretary of the UK Home Office - Sir Matthew Rycroft.   Discussing the role of the Home Office, highlights of his career and UK-NZ shared security.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are proud to present our new podcast series, where British High Commissioner Iona Thomas speaks with the captains of the British teams playing in the Rugby World Cup, hosted in Aotearoa New Zealand.   In this episode she speaks with England Rugby captain Sarah Hunter MBE about the team's preparation, women's sporting excellence in the UK and the 'Wear The Rose' documentary.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are proud to present our new podcast series, where British High Commissioner Iona Thomas speaks with the captains of the British teams playing in the Rugby World Cup, hosted in Aotearoa New Zealand.   In this episode she speaks with Scottish Rugby captain Dr Rachel Malcolm about Scotland's return to the RWC, finding a home in rugby and her work off the pitch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are proud to present our new podcast series, where British High Commissioner Iona Thomas speaks with the captains of the British teams playing in the Rugby World Cup, hosted in Aotearoa New Zealand.   In this episode she speaks with Wales Rugby captain Siwan Lillicrap about the similarities between Wales and New Zealand, their match against Scotland this weekend and coping with nerves ahead of big matches.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of ‘Tea with the High Commission’ we speak to Newcastle footballer and the All Whites #1 goal-scorer Chris Wood. We discuss the sides chances of reaching their second World Cup in 12 years, growing up watching UK football and moving to England at the age of 16. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of 'Tea with the High Commission', Deputy High Commissioner Sam Pass talks to CEO of Zealandia Urban Ecosanctuary Danielle Shanahan. In the build up to Environment Day (Sunday 5 June), they discuss the work of Zealandia, the importance of biodiversity and possible votes for bird of the year!     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the latest episode of 'Tea with the High Commission', diplomat Paris Goddard talks to England Women's Cricket Vice-Captain Nat Sciver. Nat is in New Zealand for the ICC Women's Cricket World Cup. They discuss exploring New Zealand, the challenges of playing international cricket during a pandemic, and international childhoods. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For the latest episode of 'Tea with the High Commission', our COP26 Adviser Ben Abraham sat down with Injy Johnstone, Phoebe Nikolaou, and Nina Jeffs - three inspirational young Kiwis who represented New Zealand at the major climate change summit in Glasgow, COP26. Hear their reflections on COP26, and why it's so important youth perspectives are heard in the fight against climate change. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just days out from the major UN climate change conference COP26, listen to our COP26 Adviser Ben Abraham chat with Helen Plume, a Principal Analyst at the Ministry for the Environment. She's represented New Zealand in almost every climate negotiation over the last thirty years, and has travelled across the globe - from Montreal to Marrakesh - working on some of the thorniest issues of our time. Ever wondered what really goes on at these global climate change conferences? Listen to them pull back the curtain! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our latest 'Tea with the High Commission' guest is Anna Fifield, former Bureau Chief at the Washington Post and current editor of the Dominion Post and Stuff's Wellington Newsroom. She sat down with Laura Clarke to chat about media freedom, her experiences reporting in places like China and North Korea, trust in the media, and life back home in Aotearoa New Zealand. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

British High Commissioner Laura Clarke is joined over Zoom by the Right Honourable Greg Hands, Minister of State for Trade Policy at the UK's Department for International Trade.  Hear him chat about progress on the UK-NZ Free Trade Agreement, New Zealand's expertise in free trade, and the UK's trading journey outside the EU.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Secretary of Defence Andrew Bridgman sat down via Zoom with British High Commissioner Laura Clarke to mark the UK's Armed Forces Day.  Hear them chat all things in the UK-NZ Defence relationship, security, Armed Forces Day and more!    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jessica Hobbs is an award-winning director originally from Christchurch, New Zealand and is best known for her work in Netflix's The Crown, Broadchurch, The Split, Apple Tree Yard & River.  She sat down via Zoom with British Deputy High Commissioner Sam Pass to chat all bringing British history to life in The Crown, Kiwi film & what she misses most about life in NZ.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To mark six months to go until COP26, we're joined by the esteemed British environmentalist and writer, Sir Jonathon Porritt. Jonathon is co-founder of the sustainable development charity Forum for the Future - but he has a long history of campaigning on environmental issues, as former Director of Friends of the Earth and Trustee of WWF-UK, as well as co-chair of the Green Party of England and Wales from 1980-83. He was Chairman of the UK Sustainable Development Commission until 2009, and has written 10 books. Jonathon is also Chair of the Air New Zealand Sustainability Advisory Panel, Co-Founder and Co-Patron of the Aotearoa Circle, and his father Arthur Porritt was the 11th Governor-General of New Zealand. Hear him chat with the British High Commission's COP26 Adviser Dr Victoria Hatton about his environmental campaigning, how his links to Aotearoa have influenced his work, and what he wants to see happen at COP26. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joining us on this episode of Tea with the High Commission is British actress Juliet Stevenson. She's best known for her roles in films such as 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' and 'Bend it Like Beckham', and is now bringing her innovative theatre production 'Blindness' to New Zealand for the Auckland Writers Festival. Hear her chat to Laura Clarke over Zoom about her new show, the impact of Covid-19 on the arts sector, and her tips for aspiring young actors! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.