New Zealand's High Commissioner to the UK, Phil Goff, was fired after making controversial remarks about former President Donald Trump. Goff's comments were made during a Chatham House event in London. He questioned Trump's understanding of history and referenced a famous speech by Winston Churchill from 1938 that criticized the Munich Agreement. Goff asked if Trump "really understands history," suggesting that Trump's actions resembled the appeasement policies before World War II.
The immediate fallout from Goff's remarks was swift. New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, announced that Goff's position was now "untenable." Peters described the comments as "disappointing" and emphasized that they did not reflect the views of the New Zealand government. This led to a process for changing to new leadership in the diplomatic role.
Goff's comments were seen as a breach of diplomatic protocol. Envoys are expected to represent their government's policies and not express personal opinions in an official capacity. Goff's remarks were viewed as overstepping these boundaries and as a violation of his role as "the face of New Zealand." This incident highlighted the sensitivity involved in diplomatic positions.
Phil Goff was appointed High Commissioner in January 2023. He previously served as New Zealand's Foreign Minister and had extensive political experience, including two terms as mayor of Auckland. Goff's dismissal was influenced by Foreign Minister Peters' opinion that it made his position "untenable." His sacking also comes amid a period of diplomatic tension with the Trump administration.
The international reaction to his dismissal varied. Finland's Foreign Minister, Elina Valtonen, avoided giving a direct response, while former New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark criticized the decision, calling it a "very thin excuse" for Goff's removal. This incident gained significant media attention, reflecting ongoing tensions in international relations.
In the aftermath, the Secretary of Foreign Affairs will manage the changing process, with Bede Corry overseeing it. There has been no immediate response from Goff regarding his dismissal, but this incident may affect future diplomatic appointments and New Zealand's relations with the UK and US.
