Mike Moore

Wellington, Jan 20 NZPA - Mike Moore, a former Labour prime minister who has headed the World Trade Organisation (WTO), is to be New Zealand's next ambassador to the United States.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully confirmed the appointment in a statement.

"Mike Moore will bring a huge amount of experience to this position," Mr McCully said.

"As a former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation and co-chair of the US-NZ Partnership Forum, Mr Moore is the best possible candidate for this important role."

He would replace Roy Ferguson in the role in July or August.

Labour leader Phil Goff said Mr Moore had the experience, skills and contacts for the job.

"He will be following in the footsteps of former prime ministers Bill Rowling and Jim Bolger, both of whom were respected ambassadors for New Zealand," he said.

"Mike's long experience in politics in New Zealand and his former role as Director-General of the WTO are real strengths in the tasks that he will be undertaking as Ambassador. So too will his role as joint-chair of the NZ-US Partnership Forums."

Mr Moore entered Parliament in 1972 when he was elected to represent Mt Eden in Auckland and he later represented seats in Christchurch.

In government he held several ministerial positions and was involved in trade negotiations. In 1990 he became leader of the Labour Party and was prime minister a few months replacing Geoffrey Palmer. Labour lost the next election and Mr Moore was Opposition leader for three years.

In 1999 he was elected director-general of the World Trade Organisation. However, he served only half the usual six-year term -- finishing up in 2002 under a deal with his rival and successor, Supachai Panitchpakdi.

Mr Moore was highly regarded in the role and restored confidence in the body while advancing international trade negotiations.

His trade background will be valuable as New Zealand seeks to make progress on the US joining the Trans Pacific Strategic Economic Partnership. If successful that agreement would enable New Zealand to have a trade deal with the US along with partners Brunei, Chile and Singapore.

Prime Minister John Key is to visit Washington this year.

Mr McCully said New Zealand worked closely with the US in the Asia-Pacific region, in Afghanistan, on climate change, non-proliferation and efforts to counter terrorism.

"The United States has also agreed to join the Trans Pacific Partnership free trade negotiation. This will be a major focus for Mike Moore as Ambassador, working with the US administration and Congress, as well as business interests, as negotiations get underway."

Mr Goff said Mr Moore's experience in trade would be invaluable.

"His political skills will help him in the vital role of persuading Congress that this trade negotiation will be strongly advantageous to the US as well as New Zealand."