Donald Trump names Jared Novelly as NZ ambassador pick, Winston Peters speaks to Marco Rubio in first official call with new administration

President Donald Trump has revealed the person he wants to serve as the next United States Ambassador to New Zealand.

Trump said on social media Jared Novelly was a highly respected philanthropist and chairman of Crest Sports and Entertainment and Crest Management.

“He will fight hard to protect our Nation’s interests in the Indo-Pacific, and always put AMERICA FIRST,” Trump posted.

If confirmed by the Senate, Novelly will also serve as the US Ambassador to the Independent State of Samoa.

Meanwhile, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters has spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Peters posted on social media about their conversation.

New Zealand and the US were two great, long-running democracies united by shared interests and values, Peters said.

“Our strategic partnership matters a great deal to the security and prosperity of New Zealand and the Indo-Pacific region.

“Based on today’s discussion and our experience of working closely with the first Trump Administration, we are confident that the New Zealand-United States relationship can go from strength to strength in the years ahead.”

Peters said the Government was ambitious for its relations with the US.

This included advancing Pacific priorities, building on increasing and mutually beneficial bilateral trade and expanding collaboration in critical sectors such as space.

It’s understood the pair also discussed common strategic and security challenges facing the two countries, in the Indo-Pacific region and around the world, and the importance of bilateral and regional collaboration.

Peters sought Rubio’s views about initiatives the Trump administration was inheriting, including the Quad and Aukus security groups.

It’s also understood they exchanged views on pressing issues including North Korea, the war in Ukraine and the ceasefire in the Middle East.

Peters indicated a desire to travel to Washington DC early in Rubio’s term to help set the agenda for the US-NZ relationship over the coming few years, it’s understood.

It is New Zealand’s first official call with the Trump administration since the President’s inauguration.

In November, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon had a lengthy telephone call with Trump.

Luxon said on social media: “Good to speak with President-elect [Donald Trump] this morning to congratulate him on his historic victory.

“We agreed on the importance of deepening ties between our two nations and I look forward to doing just that.

“New Zealand and the United States have a strong and enduring partnership.”