About the Ambassador-Designate
Lucie Samcová - Hall Allen is the Ambassador Designate to New Zealand since October 2026.
-
Image
CopyrightEuropean Union, 2026
A Message from the Ambassador-Designate
Tēnā koutou katoa, and hello!
The European Union and New Zealand have a unique, friendly and wide-ranging partnership. It is based on shared values and close links between our citizens. Thousands of EU citizens found their home in Aotearoa, and many Kiwis live, work and study in the EU.
Over decades we have developed cooperation that spans trade and enterprise to research and education, innovation, the environment, consumer protection, tourism, culture and so much more. In the wake of natural disasters, our rapid response and civil protection authorities have stood side by side. Through the Horizon Europe programme, our universities, scientists and students work together every day to come up with solutions to some of our world’s most burning problems.
The entry into force of a new Free Trade Agreement has seen exports from New Zealand to EU markets skyrocket: rising by over 30% in three years, they created new opportunities for businesses and jobs for New Zealanders.
Our cooperation goes even further on truly global issues: EU and New Zealand both stand for a global order that is based on rules rather than force; for societies which uphold human rights and democratic standards and in which every citizen has a fair chance.
My team at the EU Delegation to New Zealand is committed to continuing this success story. We want to listen to the views of New Zealanders and provide up-to-date information about the EU, our 27 Member States and our policies. I hope that this website can play a part in that.
I also encourage you to look at our LinkedIn and Twitter accounts. We look forward to being in touch!
About the Ambassador-Designate
Lucie Samcová Hall - Allen is a career diplomat with over twenty years of experience in foreign and security policy.
She previously served as European Union Ambassador to Iceland (2020-2024), and as the Chief of Protocol of the European External Action Service – the EU’s diplomatic arm comprising over 3,700 staff and 145 Missions across the globe.
At the EU Delegation to the United Nations in Geneva (2013-2018) she covered a broad multilateral agenda including human rights, migration, humanitarian and economic matters. In the EU headquarters in Brussels, she worked among other on the EU’s migration policy and EU-Turkey relations, she advised the Chair of the EU Political and Security Committee and helped conduct accession negotiations between the European Union and Croatia.
The Ambassador is actively involved in various initiatives which encourage and support female experts and leaders in diplomacy, foreign policy and related fields.
She was born in Prague, Czech republic and joined the EU civil service shortly after her country became an EU member in 2004. She is married with two sons, and a keen music fan.