Williamson appointed Consul-General in LA

Murray McCully announced:

Maurice Williamson will be appointed as Consul-General in Los Angeles. He has been MP for Pakuranga since 1987 and has held several Ministerial portfolios, including Science and Technology and Information Technology.

“Mr Williamson will be responsible for engagement with US investors and innovators to ensure New Zealand policies and exporters remain at the leading edge of change,” Mr McCully says.

“California and other western states of America are major export markets for New Zealand and important investment partners, particularly in added-value food and beverage and technology.  The United States is New Zealand’s largest market for intellectual property-based exports, and those exports will continue to grow strongly.”

Maurice is a good fit for LA with Silicon Valley and I am sure will do well there.

Unless his resignation is delayed, I presume this means a by-election in Pakuranga.

Pakuranga is very safe with a 12,867 majority. And on the party vote Labour got just 16% so you feel a bit sorry for whomever their candidate will be.

UPDATE: I am told no byelection is planned so presume appointment will commence next year then.