Hamish’s PhD research looked at Britain’s entry into the European Economic Community in 1973 and the Anglo-New Zealand relationship. He holds a Masters in International History at LSE (distinction), where his dissertation about international politics and the 1981 South Africa rugby tour of New Zealand jointly won the Medlicott Prize for highest mark. He also has a Post Graduate Certificate in Historical Studies (distinction) from University of Oxford, BA Hons (first class) from Victoria University of Wellington and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Massey University. Outside the academy he has a successful communications career, most recently leading marketing, PR and internal communications for the opening of He Tohu, a permanent exhibition of New Zealand’s constitutional documents at the National Library of New Zealand.
Thesis
"Staying Alive: New Zealand, Britain and European Integration, 1960-85"
His thesis examines Britain and New Zealand’s relationship, 1960-1985, as the former joined the European Economic Community (EEC). It assesses New Zealand’s influence in Britain and Europe during the negotiations and the effect this had on the terms of Britain’s entry. It also looks at the extent that Britain’s entry into Europe accelerated New Zealand’s cultural, economic and political decolonisation, using New Zealand as a case study to better understand the relationship between Britain and its former colonies in the second half of the twentieth century.