20 Oct 2014

Former NZ MP becomes High Commissioner to Nauru

8:59 pm on 20 October 2014

New Zealand's High Commissioner-designate to Nauru has today presented his credentials to the President, Baron Waqa.

Pacific Economic Ambassador and former Labour MP Shane Jones at a performance by school children in Nuku'alofa.

Shane Jones Photo: RNZ / Jane Patterson

Shane Jones, a former New Zealand parliamentarian, was in May appointed to the newly-established role of Ambassador for Pacific Economic Development by Foreign Minister Murray McCully.

A spokesperson for Mr McCully says the new role includes serving as ambassador to several small island developing states in the Pacific and Indian oceans.

Nauru's government says Mr Jones will be based in Wellington.

New Zealand's representation has previously been based out of its High Commission in Solomon Islands.

An announcement of the other countries to be represented by Shane Jones is expected tomorrow.