Auckland (The NZ Today)
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has announced five new diplomatic appointments, including his senior specialist ministerial adviser Jon Johansson as New Zealand’s next Ambassador to Sweden.
Johansson, who has worked closely with Peters as his chief of staff and ministerial adviser during New Zealand First’s periods in government, will move into the diplomatic role as part of the latest round of appointments.
Peters described Johansson as a political scientist specialising in political leadership, highlighting his experience across politics, media, public service and foreign policy.
“In these roles, Jon provided advice to the foreign minister on a broad range of policy issues and participated in the minister’s engagements with counterpart foreign ministers around the world,” Peters said.
The appointment is likely to attract attention because Peters has previously spoken out against political appointments within New Zealand’s diplomatic network.
In 2016, Peters criticised what he called a “brorocracy” in diplomatic appointments and argued political figures should only be appointed to diplomatic posts in exceptional circumstances.
The other appointments announced include Tāne Waetford as Ambassador to Colombia, Melanie Roberts as High Commissioner to Niue, Stephen Wong as Ambassador to Timor-Leste, and Brad Burgess as Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates.
The Government has highlighted the professional backgrounds of all five appointees, with several having extensive experience within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Waetford has worked on international trade negotiations, including agreements involving India, the UK and the UAE. Roberts has held senior MFAT roles focused on trade and international development, while Wong and Burgess have held several diplomatic postings and international policy roles.
Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade announcement and RNZ.
