Fran O'Sullivan: Groser seeking a stage much closer to home

Tim Groser's decision to make his debut in national politics comes at expense of his more usual stage - the World Trade Organisation.

It is at the WTO that the man who began his career as an actor uses his undoubted theatrical talent to arm twist recalcitrant trade ministers to create the right atmosphere to push critical agriculture negotiations along.

But after he has gained an expected high ranking position on National's list for the elections, the spotlight will move closer to home.

While Mr Groser's reputation is probably stronger in international circles than was in New Zealand, his role in driving a successful outcome for this country in earlier Uruguay trade round earned him the sobriquet "Billion dollar man".

The outcome of that round substantially boosted returns to New Zealand farmers through the reduction in world wide agricultural tariff.

Unfortunately for Mr Groser a Herald profile explaining his Geneva role and impact at the WTO ruffled political feathers.

At the 2003 Cancun WTO meeting, Trade Negotiations Minister Jim Sutton did not take the diplomat into the ministerial discussions.

Just weeks ago Mr Sutton was effusive in praising Groser for negotiating a breakthrough in agriculture talks in Paris.

Right now Mr Groser is endeavouring to pull up yet another diplomatic seat by declaring a political ceasefire, saying he will not criticise the Government directly on trade issues until he finishes his chairmanship of the WTO Agriculture Committee in December.

His natural instinct to enter the fray will be curbed by the fact that he will be in Geneva for much of the campaign .

Mr. Groser told Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade chief executive Simon Murdoch of his decision last week.

He said he did not intend to play a political hand at this stage and would be looking to the Government to "also exercise restraint" until he is in Parliament. He said it was a very difficult decision to make - he had had a fantastic career in Geneva, at the Prime Minister's department, treasury, MFAT and Asia 2000, but it was "now or never".

"Politics is a wonderfully attractive job - I did not want to retire thinking I had not had the guts to try it."

At 55 he has reached the pinnacle of his international diplomatic career. If he is to go further he needs to achieve a ministerial ranking himself. With his background he will be a future trade or foreign affairs minister in a future National Government.