Chris Seed. Photo: Supplied
Former head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chris Seed, has been named New Zealand's next ambassador to the United States.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced the appointment in a statement on Wednesday afternoon.
"Seed is one of New Zealand's most senior and accomplished diplomats and is accordingly the right person for this vital role," Peters said.
Seed was secretary of foreign affairs and trade from 2019 until last year, and has also been high commissioner to Australia and Papua New Guinea.
He takes over as ambassador in January, from the end of Rosemary Banks' second term.
Banks served from 2018 to 2022, and returned to the role after her successor Bede Corry took over as secretary at the ministry from Seed last year.
"Ms Banks has had a most distinguished diplomatic career, having led New Zealand missions in Paris, New York and Washington... We are enormously grateful to her that twice she answered that call to serve with distinction as New Zealand Ambassador to the United States," Peters said.
"Ms Banks' long diplomatic experience and her elevated standing amongst her US counterparts, during such a challenging time in global affairs, has seen her contribute greatly to one of New Zealand's most critical bilateral relationships."
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