George Fergusson
Encyclopedia
The Hon. George Duncan Raukawa Fergusson (born 30 September 1955) is a British
diplomat. He was the British
High Commissioner to New Zealand
and Samoa
, and the Governor of the Pitcairn Islands
, from 2006 to 2010.
, who was Governor-General of New Zealand
1962-1967. His middle name "Raukawa" is Māori
and reflects the history of Fergussons being appointed to vice-regal posts in New Zealand (two Governors and two Governors-General; George Fergusson is a direct descendant of all four).
Fergusson joined the Northern Ireland Office
in 1978. In 1988 he transferred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
as 1st Secretary (Political) in Dublin.
From 1991 to 1993, he was in the Soviet and then the Eastern Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London
. From 1994, he was 1st Secretary (Political/Information) in Seoul
, and in 1996 he returned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London
as Deputy Head of the Southern African Department. Later, in 1996, he became Head of the Republic of Ireland Department.
In 1999, George Fergusson became Consul-General in Boston
, and in 2003 was seconded to the Cabinet Office
as Head of the Foreign Policy Team.
In 2006 he was appointed High Commissioner to New Zealand and Samoa
, and Governor of the Pitcairn Islands
and left Wellington in May 2010.
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
diplomat. He was the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
High Commissioner to New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
, and the Governor of the Pitcairn Islands
Governor of the Pitcairn Islands
The Governor of the Pitcairn Islands is the representative of the British crown in the Pitcairn Islands, which are the last remaining British territory in the Pacific Ocean...
, from 2006 to 2010.
Biography
George Fergusson was born in 1955, the son of Baron BallantraeBernard Fergusson, Baron Ballantrae
Bernard Edward Fergusson, Baron Ballantrae, KT, GCMG, GCVO, DSO, OBE was a brigadier in the British Army, military historian and the last British-born Governor-General of New Zealand.- Military service :...
, who was Governor-General of New Zealand
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
1962-1967. His middle name "Raukawa" is Māori
Maori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
and reflects the history of Fergussons being appointed to vice-regal posts in New Zealand (two Governors and two Governors-General; George Fergusson is a direct descendant of all four).
Fergusson joined the Northern Ireland Office
Northern Ireland Office
The Northern Ireland Office is a United Kingdom government department responsible for Northern Ireland affairs. The NIO is led by the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, and is based in Northern Ireland at Stormont House.-Role:...
in 1978. In 1988 he transferred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Foreign and Commonwealth Office
The Foreign and Commonwealth Office, commonly called the Foreign Office or the FCO is a British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas, created in 1968 by merging the Foreign Office and the Commonwealth Office.The head of the FCO is the...
as 1st Secretary (Political) in Dublin.
From 1991 to 1993, he was in the Soviet and then the Eastern Department of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. From 1994, he was 1st Secretary (Political/Information) in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, and in 1996 he returned to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
as Deputy Head of the Southern African Department. Later, in 1996, he became Head of the Republic of Ireland Department.
In 1999, George Fergusson became Consul-General in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, and in 2003 was seconded to the Cabinet Office
Cabinet Office
The Cabinet Office is a department of the Government of the United Kingdom responsible for supporting the Prime Minister and Cabinet of the United Kingdom....
as Head of the Foreign Policy Team.
In 2006 he was appointed High Commissioner to New Zealand and Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
, and Governor of the Pitcairn Islands
Governor of the Pitcairn Islands
The Governor of the Pitcairn Islands is the representative of the British crown in the Pitcairn Islands, which are the last remaining British territory in the Pacific Ocean...
and left Wellington in May 2010.