What's your job about?
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) acts around the world to build a safer, more prosperous, and more sustainable future for New Zealanders. I work in the Trade Policy and Negotiations Division, which promotes New Zealand’s trade interests, including by seeking to remove barriers to access to export markets for New Zealand exporters. This is done through New Zealand’s participation in multilateral (at the World Trade Organization (WTO)) and bilateral (free trade agreement) negotiations. More broadly, this works to uphold the multilateral rules-based system. Working on agricultural and goods issues, I work with industry to listen and try to resolve issues that impact them, consider the international impacts of domestic policy, and coordinate and represent New Zealand’s approach to specific areas in the WTO. More broadly, I build relationships, learn about trade and economic interests, and work to solve problems for New Zealand.
What's your background?
As the son of a Chinese immigrant who came to New Zealand to run a Chinese supermarket and support Wellington’s growing Chinese diaspora, I was exposed to international trade and business from a young age. Being raised in Wellington, with government omnipresent, raised questions about how these two worlds intersect.
To that end, I studied law, economics, and finance at Victoria University of Wellington to understand why people do things (economics and finance) and how they get done (law). I was fortunate enough to study at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) to broaden my international experience.
During university, a senior diplomat recommended to me to get some broad commercial experience before joining MFAT, which would be an invaluable skill set to bring into foreign affairs (and especially trade policy). After university, I worked in consulting for one of the Big Four professional services firms in Wellington. There, I worked on a wide range of economic and policy issues across the government. I took that experience to the British High Commission in Wellington. As their economist, I reported on the New Zealand economy to the UK government and worked on the UK-NZ Free Trade Agreement (from the other side). Having had a taste of working in the area of foreign policy, working in my own country’s foreign ministry was the natural next step.
Could someone with a different background do your job?
MFAT is a place where diverse people work and is committed to promoting diversity and inclusiveness. Everyone’s experience is unique, but at a base level, it is about being able to translate your unique skills, experiences, and background to deliver value (or the capacity to learn to deliver value) to the organization. Above that, being able to demonstrate your genuine interest in the area, beyond just university courses, is key to setting yourself apart.
What's the coolest thing about your job?
For me, relationships are the reason I go to work in the morning. Foreign affairs (like most other industries) is a relationship business. Within MFAT, everyone has a unique story to tell; from stories of working at a diplomatic post to working on the most pressing international issues. Domestically, I get to represent MFAT to other agencies, industry, and the public and see how government policy directly impacts people. Internationally, it is about standing up for New Zealand’s values and working with other countries for a safer and more prosperous world.
What are the limitations of your job?
Juggling different work streams, and responding to urgent requests for input can be challenging at times. Policy officers cover a range of areas and can feel stretched on occasion. But this variety does keep things interesting and offers plenty of opportunities to learn.
3 pieces of advice for yourself when you were a student: