Mike Moore

Labour leader Phil Goff has welcomed the announcement that Mike Moore is to be appointed the next New Zealand Ambassador to Washington.

"Mike Moore has the experience, the skills and the contacts within the United States to make him an effective representative in Washington for New Zealand and is the obvious choice for the job, Phil Goff said.

"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.

"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.

"One of the most important developments in our relationship with the US will be negotiating a Trans-Pacific Partnership, a free trade agreement encompassing our two and other economies in the Asia-Pacific region. Mike's experience as a long-term Trade Minister for New Zealand and as head of the WTO will be invaluable in progressing this.

"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.

"I welcome this appointment on behalf of the Labour Party and wish Mike and Yvonne well in fulfilling their responsibilities in Washington on New Zealand's behalf.

"I would also like to offer my best wishes to outgoing Ambassador Roy Ferguson and his wife Dawn for carrying out the role with the utmost dedication and professionalism," Phil Goff said.