Tough trade
OPINION: Known for serious trade negotiations with global politicians, top NZ trade official Vangelis Vitalis also knows how to crack jokes.
Armstrong has extensive experience as a principal advisor trade policy with the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), where his career has spanned more than three decades. He has had eight overseas postings, including as ambassador to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), High Commissioner to Canada, and ambassador to the European Union in Brussels.
He is part of the MFAT Trade and Economic team which is responsible for New Zealand's trade negotiating effort at the WTO and for Free Trade Agreements, including the current Trans Pacific, Korea and India negotiations.
Armstrong replaces Alastair Bisley who served on the New Zealand Meat Board from 2004-2012.
The board includes six farmer representatives and two processor-exporter appointees as well as two government appointees.
The New Zealand Meat Board has two functions – quota management and reserves management. Country-Specific Quotas managed by the New Zealand Meat Board on behalf of the Government are the sheep meat and goat meat quotas to the European Union, the High Quality Beef Quota to the European Union, and the Beef and Veal Quota to the United States.
