New Zealand High Commission - London, United Kingdom

High Commissioner Hamish Cooper and Misako Kitaoka enjoyed typical fantastic Australian hospitality at Stoke Lodge from HE Jay Weatherill and Melissa Bailey. Wonderful opportunity to acknowledge our Anzac connections and strong partnerships with the UK – as important in the 21st century as ever before.

Australian High Commission in the United Kingdom

A pleasure as always to catch up with Dame Judith Mayhew Jonas, whose deep experience and longstanding contribution to academia, arts and public life in London have helped open doors for countless young New Zealanders. She remains extraordinarily generous in sharing that experience across the UK’s academic and cultural landscapes, facilitating exchanges and creating platforms and audiences for New Zealand artists.

In addition to ceremonies in London, ANZAC Day is also marked in meaningful acts of remembrance across the UK.

This year, New Zealand High Commission staff were honoured to attend regional services in Brockenhurst, Cambridge, Cannock Chase, Chilworth, and Walton upon Thames, standing alongside local communities who continue to uphold ANZAC remembrance with great care and respect.

Many of these places hold enduring New Zealand connections through those who are buried or commemorated there. We are deeply grateful for the stewardship of ANZAC remembrance by local veterans’ groups, clergy, volunteers, and residents, who ensure these services are organised and protected with dignity and generosity.

Speaking at Westminster Abbey, Dean of St Albans (and New Zealander) Jo Kelly‑Moore reflected on the spirit of ANZAC being about reconciliation and friendship, and a commitment to understanding and peace within our own communities.

On this ANZAC Day, we honour the fallen by carrying forward their legacy through remembrance, reconciliation, and the steady work of communities who ensure these stories and their meaning are not lost.

Lest we forget.

in pictures

As the sun rose on a day of remembrance, commemorations across London brought together veterans, communities and representatives from across the Commonwealth.

From the Cenotaph on Whitehall to Westminster Abbey, we were honoured to attend services alongside , The Princess Royal and The Princess of Wales, united in remembering all who served and sacrificed.

On 25 April, New Zealanders around the world remember the sacrifice of all New Zealanders who have served in war, conflict, and peace: our veterans, our armed services personnel, families of the fallen, and our refugee communities. We will remember them.



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As ANZAC Day approaches, we’re sharing this London reading of The Mario LaNZa Valentines Fantasy - a work by New Zealand born Samoan theatre maker Siliga Sani Muliaumaseali’i, now being brought to the UK stage.

In a wartime setting, the play imagines an unexpected Valentine’s Day encounter in New Zealand between American tenor Mario Lanza and Māori recording legend Ana Hato. Woven through the story is the enduring legacy of the 28th Māori Battalion, whose courage, sacrifice, and song remain central to remembrance.

This London premiere reading brings together New Zealand performers Muliaumaseali’i as Mario Lanza, Aivale Cole, Leila Alexander and Charles Panapa, tracing stories that connect New Zealand, Europe and the United States. Expect to hear Now is the Hour, Pokarekare ana as well as Mario Lanza favourites.

The work will be presented as a public reading at VFD Dalston on Saturday 2 May 2026.

📍 London | Play Reading | VFD Dalston, London
🗓 Saturday 2 May 2026

is almost here

Alongside the Australian High Commission, we have the honour of being joined by The Princess Royal for the Dawn Service, and The Princess of Wales for the Wreath Laying at the Cenotaph as well as the Service at Westminster Abbey. They will join other dignitaries as well as members of the Australian and New Zealand communities to remember those who served and died for their country.

This week High Commissioner Hamish Cooper met with UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Seema Malhotra, and the Samoan High Commissioner to the UK, Francella Strickland.

Great to discuss practical cooperation including through the Commonwealth and Pacific regional partnerships to respond to global challenges.

New Zealand remains committed to working closely with partners to advocate for Pacific priorities and support long-term regional resilience.

A small number of additional tickets have become available for the Westminster Abbey Anzac Day Service, at 12pm on Saturday 25 April.
To register please follow the link: Australian High Commission in the United Kingdom

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Last week, High Commissioner Hamish Cooper was joined by colleagues from the High Commission and the NZ Defence Force to help re-chalk the iconic Bulford Kiwi.

First carved by New Zealand soldiers in 1919, the monument symbolises the enduring ties between New Zealand and the United Kingdom, forged during WWI.

Many thanks to the Signals Squadron, Royal Air Force, the Defence Infrastructure Organisation for looking after the Kiwi as well as the local community who came to help - and to NZDF and
249 Gurkha Signal Squadron, 3rd (UK) Div Signal Regt for a delicious lunch! 🇳🇿🤝🇬🇧

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