Ambassador to Manila appointed

Career diplomat David Pine has been appointed as the next Ambassador to Manila, Foreign Minister Winston Peters announced today.

He said this year was the 40th anniversary of New Zealand-Philippines relations and the country was now New Zealand's top export market in Southeast Asia.

Mr Pine joined the ministry in 1993 and was most recently deputy director of its Australia division.

He will take up his appointment in May, replacing Rob Moore-Jones who is returning to Wellington.

- NZPA