Richard Woods (diplomat)
New Zealand diplomat and public servant
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Edward Richard Woods, CNZM (born 20 September 1941, Greymouth) is a New Zealand diplomat and public servant. He is currently Chair of the Board of the Environmental Risk Management Authority, a New Zealand Government Agency that ensures compliance with the Hazardous Substances and New Organisms Act – HSNO Act 1996. He took over as chairman on the retirement of Neil Walter.[1]
Woods was awarded the Companions of the New Zealand Order of Merit[2] in 2007 for public services, lately as director of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service,[3] he was previously a diplomat with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.[1]
In 1961, Woods graduated with a BA from the University of Canterbury.[citation needed] This was followed by another BA (which was upgraded to an MA) from Brasenose College, Oxford in 1965.[citation needed]
Richard was married to Joanna Proby in 1970, they have two sons and five grandchildren. Three from one son, two from the other.[citation needed]
Roles
- 2008– Chair, New Zealand Environmental Risk Management Authority (ERMA)
- 2008– New Zealand co-Chair, New Zealand/France Friendship Fund
- 2008– Trustee, Henry and William Williams Memorial Trust
- 2007– Trustee, Henry and William Williams Museum Trust
- 1999–2006 Director and CEO, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
- 1995–99 Ambassador, Paris, and Permanent Representative to OECD
- 1993–95 Ambassador, Moscow
- 1991–93 Director, Development Cooperation, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT)
- 1990–91 Director, Middle East and Africa, MFAT
- 1988–90 Ambassador, Athens
- 1984–87 Ambassador, Tehran
- 1982–84 Deputy Head of Mission, Washington DC
- 1980–81 Deputy Director, External Aid, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA)
- 1977–79 Consul-General, Bahrain
- 1975–77 First Secretary, Tehran
- 1973–74 First Secretary, MFA
- 1968–72 Assistant Trade Commissioner, Rome
- 1966–68 Advisory Officer, Department of Industries and Commerce