Michael Swain, New Zealand Consul-General, Shanghai

Michael Swain took up his appointment as New Zealand Consul-General in Shanghai in January 2009.

He is a Mandarin speaker who has served previously at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing, from 1997 to 1999, focussing on the trade and economic relationship. He has also served as Deputy High Commissioner in New Delhi, from 2002 to 2005.

Prior to his posting to Shanghai, he was based at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Wellington as Deputy Director of the International Security and Disarmament Division, covering a range of international and regional security issues. Previous head office positions have included responsibility for China trade and economic issues in the Ministry’s North Asia Division.

Michael Swain was educated at Waikato and Victoria Universities in New Zealand (international relations) and at the Strategic and Defence Studies Centre of the Australian National University (strategic studies).

He is married with one child.