Former Pakuranga MP Maurice Williamson is soon to end his time as Consul-General in Los Angeles.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters last week announced the appointment of Jeremy Clarke-Watson as New Zealand’s new Consul-General in Los Angeles.
Clarke-Watson will take up his role this month, replacing Williamson who was appointed Consul-General in 2016.
Clarke-Watson is a career diplomat who has previously served as New Zealand Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates and as the Deputy Head of Mission at the New Zealand Embassies in both Saudi Arabia and Viet Nam. He is currently New Zealand’s Special Envoy for Commonwealth Trade Integration.
Two-way trade between New Zealand and the city of Los Angeles totalled approximately US$2 billion in 2019, with New Zealand exports accounting for over US$1b. Many of New Zealand’s largest exporters active in the United States base their operations in and around Los Angeles.
Williamson has been approached for comment.
