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National MP Maurice Williamson gets diplomatic posting in LA

Author
NZN,
Publish Date
Wed, 31 Aug 2016, 6:44PM
Maurice Williamson is off to Los Angeles (Photo / NZME)
Maurice Williamson is off to Los Angeles (Photo / NZME)

National MP Maurice Williamson gets diplomatic posting in LA

Author
NZN,
Publish Date
Wed, 31 Aug 2016, 6:44PM

National MP Maurice Williamson will be New Zealand's next consul-general in Los Angeles.

The appointment was announced by Foreign Minister Murray McCully today, one of a string of consular appointments around the world.

Mr Williamson is going to have to wait for his plum appointment to take effect - he won't be leaving until close to or after next year's election so there won't be a by-election in his Pakuranga electorate.

The MP announced earlier this year that he wouldn't stand for re-election in 2017.

He's had a colourful career, holding numerous ministerial portfolios since he entered parliament in 1987.

He'll probably be best remembered for his "great big gay rainbow" speech in support of the gay marriage bill, rather than the ignominious resignation of his portfolios in 2014 because he contacted the police about an investigation into a Chinese businessman.

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