Stuart Calman appointed NZ Climate Change Ambassador

Climate Change Minister Simon Watts has announced the appointment of Stuart Calman as New Zealand’s Climate Change Ambassador.

Watts says Calman brings significant experience across foreign policy, trade and climate issues.

“I am pleased to welcome Stuart to this role, given his expertise in foreign policy, trade and development, along with strong climate policy experience,” Watts says.

“Stuart brings an excellent understanding of opportunities for enhanced cooperation with the Pacific and Southeast Asia. A particular focus in 2026 will be supporting Australia in its role as chair of the UN Climate COP31 negotiations, in partnership with the Pacific. Stuart’s expertise will be beneficial in supporting New Zealand’s economic, trade, and climate goals.”

Calman is a senior diplomat who served as New Zealand’s Ambassador to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) based in Jakarta from 2022 to 2024.

He has held leadership roles within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, with a focus on energy, climate resilience and sustainable economic development in the Pacific and Southeast Asia.

Before joining the ministry in 2013, he held management roles at the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Economic Development, where he was responsible for climate change, energy and environmental policy.

He takes up the Wellington-based role effective immediately, replacing Stuart Horne, who has taken up the position of New Zealand Consul-General in Honolulu.