[2] Banks graduated with an MA in Russian from the University of Canterbury,[3] and received an MSc from the London School of Economics.

[4] Banks served as New Zealand deputy high commissioner to the Solomon Islands between 1985 and 1987, and to Australia from 1992 until 1995.

[3] As Deputy Secretary in New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Banks spearheaded the development of a new emergency response system, following the September 11 attacks in 2001, the 2002 Bali bombings, and the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami.

[7] In 2018, Banks succeeded Tim Groser as New Zealand ambassador to the United States.

[8] Banks has also served as a Crown negotiator for the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process.