Charles Finny

Tel: +64 4 914 1758
Cell:  +64 27 544 1547
Email: charles@sul.co.nz

Charles joined the team at Saunders Unsworth in 2010 after five and half years as CEO of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce.  Prior to that Charles had a wide range of experience in government working for the Prime Ministers Department, Department of Trade and Industry and Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.  His particular areas of expertise are China, US politics and trade policy, Australia, Asia and international trade.  Charles speaks Mandarin.

Charles’ work at Saunders Unsworth to date has focussed on tertiary education policy, international trade, aviation policy, infrastructure policy, government procurement.  His clients are both domestic and international.

Charles has spent much of his life working and studying overseas.  He has lived in the United States (New York, Washington DC and San Francisco), London, Hong Kong, Singapore (twice), Beijing and Taipei.  He served as First secretary at the New Zealand High Commission in Singapore, Deputy Head of Mission in Beijing and Head of Mission in Taipei.  Charles was responsible for launching the China-New Zealand FTA as New Zealand’s lead negotiator on this project, prior to moving to the Chamber of Commerce.

He has extensive contacts with politicians of all parties and has a wide range of close contacts throughout the bureaucracy and business communities.  He has also done considerable work with the local government sector (he is the former Chair of the Local Government Forum) and has interacted closely with a range of Mayors, Councillors and local body managers.  He is particularly interested in transport and infrastructure issues, climate change and foreign investment.

Charles is Chair of the Education New Zealand Board and serves on the Boards of New Zealand Film Commission, New Zealand Trade and Enterprise, and is a member of the Victoria University Council.

Charles is 50% owner of an export oriented wine company in Central Otago (Kawarau Estate).  He has two children both studying at Victoria University of Wellington.  Aside from his interests in wine, politics and international trade, Charles is a keen golfer.  He enjoys the ballet and opera.

Charles is a member of the Rotary Club of Wellington.  He supports the Victoria University of Wellington Foundation.  He regularly donates time to support the work of the Asia New Zealand Foundation, The New Zealand Institute of International Affairs, The New Zealand Contemporary China Research Centre, the New Zealand Centre for International Economic Law and the New Zealand United States Partnership Forum.  

back