Grahame Morton is the Deputy Secretary – Americas and Asia Group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a role he has held since January 2025.

 

Grahame served as Ambassador to China from 2022- 2024, and was High Commissioner to India from 2014-2017, also accredited to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal. He served as New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Asia-Europe process in 2018-2019.

 

Grahame was Principal Advisor to the Asia and Americas Group from 2018-2020, when he also Chair of the China Capable Public service programme. He was Director of the North Asia Division from 2009-2014.

 

Grahame’s earlier diplomatic postings were in Rarotonga (1999-2002) and in Beijing (2004-2008). He has also served in a relief capacity as Deputy Head of Mission in Washington. He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1997. During his career he has worked on a range of policy issues including trade negotiations, Asia regional organisations and security, Pacific development, nuclear issues, disaster relief operations, and Antarctica.

 

Grahame has an honours degree in History from the University of Otago.