New Zealand’s new High Commissioner to Samoa will be career diplomat Nick Hurley. He takes up his assignment in late July, replacing Caroline Bilkey, who is returning to Wellington. He talks to SPASIFIK about his experience in the Pacific and about his latest diplomatic posting.
My introduction to the Pacific and to Samoa began in 1973 when I worked for the then Minister of Island Affairs, Hon Phil Amos, and I accompanied him to Tokelau.We stayed in Apia going to and from Tokelau and I
found it all so interesting I joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs the following year. I wanted to learn more about the Pacific and be part of New Zealand’s engagement with the region.
That has led me to three diplomatic postings in the Pacific so far – the Cook Islands, Fiji and Solomon Islands. My assignment in Samoa will be my fourth Pacific post. I have also been posted to Rome, Paris and Brisbane during my time with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
My first posting was to the Cook Islands from late 1974 to the beginning of 1978. It was fascinating for me to deal with the Cook Islands Government on their aid programme, to learn first-hand about the interests of a Pacific nation. I enjoyed the opportunity to help develop New Zealand’s relationship with the Cooks.
After four years in Rome in the early 1980s, I went to Suva as Deputy High Commissioner from 1986 to 1989. It was a dramatic time with the 1987 coups dominating my assignment. For me, it was a pivotal point in my career as I came face to face with the real challenges of the Pacific.
There were some testing times as I worked with my colleagues, New Zealand political leaders and Fiji citizens on New Zealand’s diplomatic efforts to help Fiji return to normality.
It was also a unique opportunity to meet the leading players in Fiji at an historic moment of Fiji’s history – people such as Ratu Mara, Ratu Penaia Ganilau, Dr Timoci Bavadra and Sitiveni Rabuka. Interestingly, my younger son was born two years to the day when the first coup took place so I shall always remember the date – not that I have any trouble remembering that fateful day.
I returned to the Pacific in 1999 as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Solomon Islands for three years. It turned out to be as equally challenging a posting as Fiji – perhaps even more so – as the ethnic tension between those from Malaita and Guadalcanal escalated into armed conflict. This was followed by the coup led by the Malaita Eagle Force and evacuation of most expatriates, many of them on board New Zealand Air Force aircraft which we organised.
They were troubled times with some very nasty incidents including numerous fatal attacks. I can’t say I enjoyed the tense situation but it was stimulating working with Solomon Islanders and the Australians in particular to try and help resolve the situation. This involved the use of New Zealand and Australian warships as neutral venues for peace talks between the two ethnic groups.
The involvement of other Pacific countries, especially through policing and dialogue, was most helpful although ultimately not enough to resolve the security situation. Subsequently, as we all know, RAMSI was formed by the Forum countries to sort out the deteriorating situation.
When the opportunity to go to Samoa was offered to me, I leapt at the chance to return to the Pacific and to engage more with a special relationship founded on long-standing and extensive historical and social connections, underpinned by the Treaty of Friendship. And although I have had dealings with Samoa and Samoans over the years, I really valued the opportunity to get to know the people and the country first-hand–a country that has fascinated me from my first contact with them over 30 years ago.
I know that all of my colleagues who have been posted to Samoa have thoroughly enjoyed their time, including my predecessor Caroline Bilkey. I am looking forward to taking up my role in mid July and to be working closely with the government and people of Samoa. I will obviously be in learning mode to start with, but I want to help strengthen the relationship between our two countries during the three years of my posting.
As the New Zealand Government’s representative, I hope to help contribute in particular to Samoa’s economic development. New Zealand’s aid programme and its support for restoration work following the tragic losses inflicted by last year’s tsunami will be high priorities for me.
