New Zealand and Japan have become close friends through people-to-people exchange, mutual interest in rugby, and shared tragedy of suffering devastating earthquakes. The two countries have much in common as island trading nations: both have benefited from the rule of law, the freedom of navigation, and open trade flows.

Today, given the geopolitical changes both countries face, they are looking to upgrade their relationship from good friends to strategic partners. How can the two countries work as partners to expand free trade, build resilience in supply chains, and work together on climate change? What can we do to support Pacific Island partners in improving infrastructure connectivity and resilience? And what are the prospects of enhanced partnership in the defense realm in securing a stable, peaceful, and prosperous Indo-Pacific?

The momentum for partnership between the two countries is growing, following Prime Minister Christopher Luxon’s visit to Tokyo in June and Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters’ visit in July. We are very fortunate to welcome Ambassador Hamish Cooper, a veteran diplomat who has seen the relationship between the two countries grow. Please join us in meeting with Ambassador Cooper and discussing the prospects and challenges ahead for the two countries in becoming “strategic partners for a secure and resilient future.”

Event and Registration Details

September 25, 2024, 8:00 a.m. (JST)

• This event will be conducted in in-person and online, and registration is required.
• In-person participation is for members and guests only. Please pay your fee by credit card (Visa or Mastercard only) or at the door.
• Online participation is for members and guests only and is free.

Speaker Bio

H.E. Hamish Cooper
New Zealand’s Ambassador to Japan

Hamish Cooper has been New Zealand's Ambassador to Japan since July 2019, having had three previous postings in Japan, at the New Zealand Embassy in Tokyo and Consulate-General in Osaka, and studying Japanese at the US State Department Foreign Service Institute in Yokohama.

Before his current assignment, Ambassador Cooper was Senior Foreign Affairs Adviser to the then Foreign Minister, Rt Hon Winston Peters, who was re-appointed to this role following the change of government in November of last year.  Ambassador Cooper has also served overseas in New Zealand missions in London, Ankara, and Moscow. He has had senior foreign ministry head office roles as Director for International Security and Disarmament, and Principal Adviser for Multilateral and Legal Affairs.

Ambassador Cooper joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1985.  He is a graduate of the University of Canterbury in Christchurch, New Zealand, and the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA, in the United States.