2026 Senior Fellows
Peter Kell
Senior Fellow
Peter Kell is a former New Zealand senior diplomat with extensive experience across Asia, particularly Japan, where he graduated from Kyoto University with a law degree, worked in Tokyo’s finance industry, and undertook three diplomatic assignments, the last as consul-general and deputy head of mission.
Peter has served as a private secretary to the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, and has undertaken secondments with the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Office of the Speaker of the Lower House of the Parliament of Japan. From 2020 to 2024, Peter served as New Zealand’s ambassador to the Philippines. He has also served in Honiara and London.
Peter is now chief operating officer (New Zealand) of Obayashi Corporation, one of Japan’s largest general construction companies, which has invested heavily in New Zealand’s renewable and hydrogen energy sectors. He is director of Halcyon Power Limited, director of the New Zealand Hydrogen Council, and chief executive of Halcyon Green Hydrogen. He has also served on the board of the Australian and New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Japan. Peter holds a Master of International Relations from Victoria University of Wellington. He brings strong expertise in economics, sustainability and business engagement across North and Southeast Asia.