In a statement, Foreign Secretary Nanaia Mahuta said Goff would start in the position in January 2023 – about the same time as former Labor MP Trevor Mallard takes up office as ambassador to Ireland.
The New Zealand Herald first reported that Goff was lining up for the placement in March.
The former Labor leader and minister left parliament after the 2011 election and was mayor of Auckland from 2016 until the election earlier this month.
Mahuta pointed to Goff’s time as Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade in his reign – including leading the free trade agreement negotiations with China.
Goff will become High Commissioner when the new New Zealand-UK free trade agreement comes into force.
“Phil Goff brings the skills Aotearoa New Zealand needs to London as we implement the FTA and promote our interests in the UK.”
The appointment of former politicians as diplomats is sometimes controversial.
Goff’s nomination won’t be as controversial as that of the former Speaker of the House Mallard – one nomination, National Party leader Christopher Luxon said he didn’t believe Mallard was suitable for.
In contrast, Luxon said in March that Goff was a good choice for London: “He is a very experienced politician, he has held a number of positions including Foreign Secretary, and he understands NZ Inc’s problems very well.”
Several former politicians have served as High Commissioner in London, most recently former National Member of Parliament, Sir Lockwood Smith. Since Smith’s tenure ended in 2017, the position has been filled by former Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae and senior diplomat Bede Corry. Goff will replace Corry.
Mahuta said New Zealand had “an exceptionally strong relationship” with the United Kingdom.
“We are also at the forefront of countries that have signed free trade agreements with the UK, which will serve as an important foundation for the next steps in the bilateral relationship.
“We look forward to deepening the relationship, whether it’s our new ‘gold standard’ FTA, our joint response to the challenge of climate change, or our collaboration in the Pacific.”
The two nations also collaborated on foreign policy, trade, investment and commercial relations cooperation; through defense, security and intelligence forums; science and technology; sports and culture.