Chris Seed

Christopher John Seed is a New Zealand diplomat and former senior public servant who is currently serving as Acting High Commissioner of New Zealand to the United Kingdom.

He was the Chief Executive and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade from 2019 to 2024. Previously he was High Commissioner of New Zealand to Australia from 2013 to 2018.

Early life and education Seed was born and raised in Waipukurau, Hawke's Bay, attending Central Hawke's Bay College from 1974 to 1978. From Massey University, he was awarded a Bachelor of Arts with Honours (1983) and a Master of Arts in history (1984). He concluded that appointment in 2018 and the next year was appointed Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade. His tenure included managing international aspects of New Zealand's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and extracting 1700 New Zealanders from Afghanistan following the international withdrawal from that country in 2021.

Seed retired in 2024, however he was recalled in March 2025 to serve as Acting High Commissioner to the United Kingdom following Phil Goff being removed from the role for making comments about United States President Donald Trump at a Chatham House event in London. Seed will serve as Acting High Commissioner until September 2025, when he will be succeeded by Hamish Cooper. Seed has been appointed to succeed Rosemary Banks as New Zealand's Ambassador to the United States in early 2026.

Honours and awards In the 2024 King’s Birthday Honours Seed was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the State.