President Barack Obama has nominated lawyer David Heubner to become the next United States ambassador to New Zealand.
Mr Heubner, 49, is a specialist in international arbitration and mediation for the international law firm, Sheppard Mullen Richter and Hampton, and is at present based in Shanghai.
He was educated at Princeton University and Yale Law School.
Mr Obama says he is confident Mr Heubner will represent the US well in an important role.
His appointment still needs to be confirmed by the US Congress and he is expected to take up the post early next year.
Mr Heubner will also act as US ambassador to Samoa.
New Zealand has been without an ambassador since December 2008, when Bill McCormick finished his tenure.
