Carl Worker took up appointment as New Zealand Ambassador to China on 25 April 2009.

Mr Worker is a Mandarin speaker who has served twice previously at the New Zealand Embassy in Beijing: as Deputy Head of Mission from 1992-94, and as Second Secretary (Political) from 1984-86.

He served as New Zealand Consul-General in Hong Kong from 1994-98, spanning Hong Kong’s return to China.

From 2006-08, Mr Worker served as Director of the Americas Division of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in Wellington, responsible for New Zealand’s relations with the USA, Canada and Latin America.

From 2001-05, Mr Worker served as New Zealand Ambassador to Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, resident in Buenos Aires. He is a Spanish speaker.

Mr Worker’s career with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has included assignments as Director of Human Resources in Wellington from 1998-2001; Deputy Head of Mission at the New Zealand Embassy, Suva from 1989-92, Private Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs, from 1988-89; and Exchange Officer to the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, 1981.

Mr Worker studied at Auckland University and Oxford University.

He is married and has four children.