Murray McCully

Wellington, April 21 NZPA - Career diplomat Rosemary Banks is to be New Zealand's next Ambassador to France.

Foreign Minister Murray McCully said Ms Banks would also be accredited as New Zealand's Ambassador to Portugal, and to the OECD, which is based in Paris.

Ms Banks is currently acting deputy secretary for multilateral issues at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. She was most recently New Zealand's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York, and has previously served in Canberra, Honiara, and Geneva.

Ms Banks takes up her assignment in September, replacing Sarah Dennis.

Mr McCully said two way trade with France was worth around $2 billion.

"...investment flows and business networks are expanding, and next year New Zealand will welcome thousands of French supporters for the Rugby World Cup," Mr McCully said.

"As a founding member of what is now the European Union, a permanent member of the UN Security Council and a G20 country, France is an important international voice. France and New Zealand also cooperate closely in the Pacific in areas such as maritime surveillance and disaster relief."