SamPassUK

British diplomat, most recently Deputy High Commissioner in Wellington, New Zealand. Lover of the simple things in life: friends, good food, sunshine…

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

Mānawatia a Matariki to all my friends back in New Zealand. Nearly a year since my tour finished and still missing all things Kiwi 🇳🇿! This photo of Wellington harbour at sunrise taken just before last year’s Matariki during my last week in NZ.

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

My final day in Aotearoa New Zealand. Visited Cheltenham Beach - great views of Rangitoto. But the highlight had to be the pod of dolphins playing around the ferry as it docked in Devonport. Amazing. So perhaps apt to sign off with this: “So long, and thanks for all the fish…”

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

Wellington put on its Winter best for my final day. Oriental Bay was basking in the sun and blue skies. A perfect location for a final brunch 😊. Thanks, Welly, I’ll miss you! @OrientalBayNZ⁩ ⁦@UKinNZ⁩

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

A great posting is not just about the job and place. It’s about the people you meet and the friends you make along the way. Leaving a posting is always bittersweet as you have to say goodbye to those wonderful friends - although hoping our paths will cross again!! ⁦@UKinNZ⁩

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

Mānawatia a Matariki to all in Aotearoa New Zealand!

[UK in New Zealand @UKinNZ]

Wishing everyone in Aotearoa New Zealand a happy Matariki! ✨

Mānawa maiea te putanga o Matariki
Mānawa maiea te ariki o te rangi
Mānawa maiea te mātahi o te tau

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

I knew Wellington was putting on its best weather for me in my final weeks. Everyone knows I complain about the wind a lot: after all I walk along the harbour every day, only giving up on those days when the wind threatens to blow me into it. Thanks Wellington 🤣😆!!

[NIWA Weather @NiwaWeather]

#Wellington has just had their calmest start to winter on records back to 1960.

The average wind speed at the airport during June was a gentle 15 km/h, far below the average of 24 km/h expected in June!

Winds are expected to pick up this weekend and into next week, however...

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

One of my final walks to work alongside the harbour today. What is it they say? You can’t beat Wellington on a good day. True indeed! 😊 ☀️ ⁦

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

An honour to introduce this wonderful ⁦@nzBritish⁩ ⁦@royalsocietynz⁩ panel @WellingtonUni discussing “Beyond Growth - how to create an economy that doesn’t cost the Earth” with ⁦@ProfTimJackson, discussing how we can achieve sustainable prosperity ⁦@UKinNZ⁩

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

The King’s Birthday Cake was simply magnificent. I feel the King should be sent a slice from every Embassy and High Commission KBP cake but I suspect the calories would really mount up 😆 @UKinNZ

[Iona Thomas OBE 🇬🇧 @IonaCThomas]

Last night we marked His Majesty King Charles’s official birthday, with a celebration showcasing the natural beauty & culinary highlights of the four nations of the United Kingdom.

And no birthday party is complete without a cake! 🎉 👑 🍰

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

It’s been quite a month on 🇬🇧 🇳🇿 trade front #TradingTogether @UKinNZ, celebrating entry into force for the Free Trade Agreement and promoting GREAT British products and services across a range of visits and events. Phew!

[UK in New Zealand @UKinNZ]

Thank you to all of our @biztradegovuk and @UKinNZ colleagues for your work over the last month.

We still have a lot more in store! #TradingTogether

6/6🧵

[Home Office @ukhomeoffice]

👋 Kia ora New Zealand! 🇳🇿

We’ve expanded schemes designed to help young Kiwis live and work in the UK. From today, the age limit will rise from 30 to 35 and you’ll be able to stay for three years.

Just in time for our summer ☂️🎾🏏🏎️⛺🎶

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

Ah, to be 35 and still be considered young. Unfortunately I’m far too old to qualify(!) but this welcome extension of the Youth Mobility Scheme by 🇳🇿 and 🇬🇧 will provide more Brits and Kiwis with the amazing opportunity to live and work in each other countries. Go for it! @UKinNZ

[UK in New Zealand @UKinNZ]

More young Kiwis and Brits will be able to live and work in each other’s countries! 👏

From today the age limit for the UK's Youth Mobility Scheme visa will change from 30 to 35, and the maximum time applicants can stay will extend to three years 🇬🇧 🇳🇿

[Home Office @ukhomeoffice]

"I refuse to stand by and do nothing in the face of a wave of online sexual abuse harming children."

The Home Secretary @SuellaBraverman's words after discussions with allies in New Zealand.

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

Really appreciated Home Secretary ⁦@SuellaBraverman⁩ ⁦@ukhomeoffice⁩ found time in a very busy schedule of meetings to meet the Wellington ⁦@UKinNZ⁩ team. The team work very hard behind the scenes to help organise and facilitate visits from across HMG!

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

Great to have Home Secretary ⁦@SuellaBraverman⁩ ⁦@ukhomeoffice⁩ in 🇳🇿 for the Five Country Ministerial meeting. The Home Secretary and her 🇦🇺 🇨🇦 🇺🇸 counterparts had a wonderful pōwhiri ceremony at ⁦@NZParliament⁩ to welcome them ⁦@UKinNZ⁩

[Home Office @ukhomeoffice]

Allies.

🇦🇺🇨🇦🇳🇿🇬🇧🇺🇸

Today, the Home Secretary @SuellaBraverman met with her counterparts for the Five Country Ministerial.

This close relationship is vital in the fight against global security issues.

[UK in New Zealand @UKinNZ]

Great to welcome 🇬🇧 Home Secretary @SuellaBraverman to Wellington this week for the Five Country Ministerial ⤵️

[Dr Catherine Maguire | كاثرين ماغواير @catherinejmag]

What it feels like to send out a DipTel:

[SamPassUK @SamPassUK]

This is a brilliant exhibition - catch it before it closes!! @NZParliament @nzBritish @UKinNZ

[UK in New Zealand @UKinNZ]

There’s only 3 days left to visit ‘Trouble in Paradise’ at @NZParliament’s Te Papakura Exhibition Space!

Make sure you check out this @nzBritish & @UKinNZ collaboration before it opens at Tūhura @OtagoMuseum on 8 July.

[Stephen Cartwright @Cartwright_SM]

UKinNZ had a fantastic presence at #Fieldays2023 & positivity for the 🇬🇧🇳🇿FTA. Great team effort supported by David Mundell PM Trade Envoy to🇳🇿Some farewells and new faces in our team. Thanks everyone @UKinNZ #TradngTogether