Peters’ Washington pick and what it means

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One of Winston Peters' first major diplomatic appointments offers some hints about how some other critical jobs may be filled. P hoto: Lynn Grieveson.

With the appointment of Rosemary Banks as our next ambassador in Washington, another piece of New Zealand’s diplomatic jigsaw has fallen into place. Sam Sachdeva reports for Newsroom on what Banks’ appointment says about Winston Peters’ preferences, and the implications for the top foreign affairs job.

Finally, New Zealand has a woman in Washington.

Through 77 years of diplomatic representation in DC, and nearly 20 heads of mission, the Government had not appointed a female ambassador to represent our interests in the United States.

That’s now changed, with the news that (formerly) retired diplomat Rosemary Banks will replace Tim Groser on Embassy Row at the end of the year.

The groundbreaking nature of the appointment is interesting in and of itself, but the choice also offers some hints about Winston Peters’ thinking on the foreign affairs front - and who may take up MFAT’s top job.

Banks has held a number of diplomatic postings, but perhaps the most helpful was her stint as New Zealand’s permanent representative to the United Nations from 2005 to 2009 - a period which coincided with the last time Peters was Foreign Affairs Minister. . . . . >