Guy Patrick - Public Affairs Officer

“At its core, the role is about creating and supporting connections between the UK and New Zealand, whether through events, outreach, stakeholder engagement, or wider public diplomacy activity. It is a very outward-facing role, so a lot of my time is spent thinking about how to engage different audiences, how to communicate clearly and effectively, and how to create spaces for meaningful dialogue.

“What I enjoy most is that the role sits between big-picture international issues and practical day-to-day delivery. One moment I might be supporting a large event or engagement initiative, and the next I might be thinking about how to position a project, reach the right audience, or build stronger relationships with partners and communities. It’s a dynamic role that draws on strategy, communication, and coordination, and it has given me the chance to work in a setting where international affairs feel tangible and people focused.”

Working on initiatives that bring people together and open interesting conversations is Guy’s favourite part of the job.

“I like the variety of the role, and I especially value being able to engage with people from different sectors, backgrounds, and perspectives. It is rewarding to work on projects that are not just engaging in themselves, but that also have the potential to create longer-term relationships and networks.

“A particular highlight has been helping to create the Kōtare Network, the High Commission’s young professionals network in New Zealand. Kōtare was developed as a space for emerging leaders and professionals to engage with foreign affairs, big-picture global issues, and the UK–New Zealand relationship. Being involved in shaping something new from the ground up has been one of the most rewarding parts of the role so far.

"Before joining the British High Commission, I worked in the peacebuilding and youth sector in Auckland, where I coordinated youth programmes and contributed to initiatives focused on peace education, conflict awareness, and leadership development.

“The most useful aspects of my study have been the transferable skills it developed. More than anything, my degree taught me how to think critically, research independently, and communicate clearly. It strengthened my ability to analyse complex issues, weigh up different perspectives, and form balanced conclusions, which is something I rely on regularly in professional settings.

“It also helped me become a stronger writer and more confident communicator. Being able to explain complicated ideas in a clear and accessible way is an important skill in any role involving public engagement, and it is something my postgraduate study really sharpened.”

Guy chose the Master of Global Studies to build on his background in International Relations while studying global issues in a broader and more interdisciplinary way.

“I was drawn to the fact that Global Studies does not treat politics, conflict, society, and global change as isolated subjects, but instead looks at how they intersect. That really appealed to me, because the issues I was most interested in were never confined to a single discipline.

“I also wanted to study something that felt both intellectually challenging and relevant to the world beyond the university. The programme offered the chance to think seriously about major contemporary issues while developing strong research and communication skills. For me, it felt like the right balance between academic depth and real-world relevance, and that was a big part of why I chose it.

“I chose to study at the University of Auckland because of its strong academic reputation and the quality of its postgraduate programmes. I wanted to study somewhere that would challenge me, and the beautiful backdrop of Aotearoa made it an easy choice. It offered the right mix of academic rigour, international perspective, and opportunity for personal growth.”

Having the opportunity to explore issues he genuinely cared about in greater depth was one of Guy’s highlights of postgraduate study.

“I really valued being in an environment where ideas could be questioned and refined. I also appreciated learning alongside people who brought very different perspectives and experiences to those conversations, because that added a lot to the experience.

“At the same time, one of the biggest challenges was adapting to the level of independent study required, especially when it came to researching and writing my thesis. Sustaining a long-term research project demanded a lot of self-discipline and confidence in my own judgement.