Deal maker's quick switch

New Zealand's lead negotiator on the China free trade deal is packing his bags for a job with the private sector.

Charles Finny has been appointed chief executive of the Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce and will spearhead an economic policy programme on behalf of all 31 New Zealand chambers.

Finny's surprise move - which was announced days after the first round of the China negotiations - was yesterday played down by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Principal trade policy adviser Crawford Falconer stressed that David Walker, who will replace Finny, had covered the China negotiations at management board level. Walker, who is the Apec senior official, was formerly deputy head of mission at New Zealand's Washington embassy.

Finny said: "I would not have left if it would have had a high impact on the negotiating process.

"It was not an easy decision, but after 22 great years of the public service it was time for a new challenge."

He will go back to the ministry for a couple of weeks in the New Year for a hand-over to Walker before the next round of negotiations in Wellington in February.

Finny was asked by the Business Herald this year whether he was a "tough negotiator in your home"?

"I do get told off for trying to negotiate almost every issue," he said."My kids are like that, too. The Chinese are easy compared with them."

The reality of that particular claim is academic now, given Finny's new move. But judging by the background noise as the Lynx ferry headed towards Picton yesterday, Finny's children are still intent in following down the negotiating path.

Finny established links with the Wellington chamber when he was deputed to be director of the New Zealand Commerce and Industry office in Taipei.

Wellington Regional Chamber of Commerce president Peter Steel noted that Finny could speak from experience on issues affecting small to medium enterprises as he and his family had developed their own export business.

Finny takes over from Phil Lewin, who is moving on to be chief executive of Positively Wellington, a regional economic development organisation.