Sarah McDowell is a Deputy Head of Mission at New Zealand Embassy in Seoul.
Sarah McDowell is an accomplished New Zealand diplomat and legal professional whose career spans multilateral diplomacy, digital trade policy, and international governance. She has served as the Deputy Permanent Representative of New Zealand to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, where she played a central role in advancing New Zealand’s positions on global trade, dispute settlement, and digital economy frameworks.
Before her tenure in Geneva, McDowell worked as a Senior Policy Officer specializing in Digital Trade and Telecommunications, contributing to New Zealand’s leadership in emerging technology governance and international digital trade rules. She has also gained extensive multilateral experience through her work at the United Nations, where she engaged with global issues ranging from sustainable development to institutional reform.
A lawyer by training, McDowell holds a law degree from the University of Canterbury, one of New Zealand’s leading institutions. Her legal background enhances her diplomatic skillset, equipping her with a strong foundation in international law, regulatory analysis, and negotiation.
Through a combination of legal expertise, diplomatic experience, and deep engagement with global economic governance, Sarah McDowell represents the next generation of New Zealand’s foreign service leadership—bringing intellectual rigor, strategic insight, and a commitment to principled international cooperation. In the increasingly interconnected Indo-Pacific region, diplomats serve not only as representatives of their nations but also as architects of cooperation and cultural bridges.
Geography as a Connective Story Between the Two Nations
Though separated by more than 10,000 kilometers, New Zealand and Korea share a surprising number of geographic touchpoints. Both lie on the Pacific Rim, shaped by tectonic forces and volcanic landscapes. Both rely heavily on the ocean for trade, fisheries, and cultural identity. And both view the Indo-Pacific not as a distant abstraction, but as the geographic framework through which their futures will unfold.
New Zealand’s location in the South Pacific and Korea’s position in Northeast Asia place them on opposite arcs of the same maritime system. This geographic reality has encouraged cooperation in shipping routes, maritime security, climate resilience, and Antarctic science—areas where New Zealand has deep expertise and Korea strong technological capabilities. McDowell’s diplomatic work supports these forward-looking areas, helping both countries recognize that geography can serve as a bridge rather than a barrier.
A Diplomat Shaping Connections
In her role, McDowell also contributes to New Zealand’s public diplomacy—promoting Kiwi values of sustainability, fairness, environmental stewardship, and partnership with indigenous communities. She helps introduce Korean audiences to Aotearoa’s cultural richness, from Maori traditions to contemporary arts and innovation. Simultaneously, she fosters New Zealand’s understanding of Korea’s own complex history, rapid development, and strong educational culture.
Her work illustrates that diplomacy today is no longer merely about formal negotiations. It is about nurturing relationships, understanding place, and recognizing shared challenges across oceans.
A Modern New Zealand–Korea Relationship
Relations between New Zealand and Korea have deepened significantly in recent years. The two countries share a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and their Free Trade Agreement—the Korea–New Zealand FTA (KNZFTA)—has expanded business, agriculture, and technology cooperation. Korea is now one of New Zealand’s most important export markets, especially for food products, education services, and advanced technology collaboration.
At the same time, people-to-people ties continue to flourish. More than 40,000 Koreans live in New Zealand, forming one of the country's most vibrant Asian communities. In Korea, interest in New Zealand’s nature, education system, and outdoor lifestyle has made the country a favored destination for study and travel. Diplomats like McDowell play an essential role in supporting these relationships, ensuring mobility, cultural exchange, and positive public diplomacy.
Her work often intersects with key strategic themes: the green economy, climate resilience, indigenous partnerships (Maori–Korean exchange), food security, and sustainable development. These areas reflect shared priorities, particularly as both countries navigate the shifting geopolitics of the Indo-Pacific.
Building a Pacific Future Together
Through her leadership and engagement in Seoul, Sarah McDowell represents a New Zealand committed to meaningful cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Her work reflects the spirit of a diplomat who sees beyond borders—one who understands the role of geography in shaping political, economic, and cultural futures.
In an era defined by shifting alliances and global uncertainties, diplomats like McDowell help ensure that New Zealand and Korea walk forward as partners:
anchored by shared interests, enriched by cultural exchange, and guided by a vision of a peaceful, sustainable Pacific community.
