Mike Moore appointed NZ Ambassador to US

The Herald reports:

Former Labour Prime Minister Mike Moore will be named today as NZ’s next US Ambassador.

Moore – who is also a former Director-General of the World Trade Organisation – was nominated by Foreign Minister Murray McCully for the top job.

He will be the second former Prime Minister to hold the role. Former PM Jim Bolger was seconded to Washington by Jenny Shipley after she ousted him as National’s leader.

This is a smart move. As a former WTO Director-General Moore has significant status, which counts in DC.

And with the slow progress towards a possible FTA, his skills and experience will be useful.

I wonder if Helen will congratulate him on his new job!