Countries belonging to the Commonwealth of Nations typically exchange High Commissioners, rather than Ambassadors. In practice, they are one and the same office. The following persons have served as British High Commissioner to New Zealand since 1969.

• Sir Arthur Norman Galsworthy (1969-1973)
• Sir David Aubrey Scott (1973-1975)
• Sir Harold Smedley (1976-1980)
• Sir Richard Stratton (1980-1984)
• Terence Daniel O'Leary (1984-1987)
• Robin Byatt (1987-1990)
• David Moss (1990-1994)
• Robert John Alston (1994-10 February 1998)
• Martin Williams (April 1998-2001)
• Richard Fell (10 December 2001-present)

Note that since 1970, the British High Commissioner to New Zealand doubles as the Governor of the Pitcairn Islands.