Ambassador to NZ Obama's first gay posting

United States President Barack Obama has nominated a Shanghai-based lawyer - David Huebner - as the United States' next ambassador to New Zealand.

President Obama announced his nomination yesterday and Mr Huebner is expected to be in New Zealand by the end of the year after the nomination receives Congress approval.

The appointment has generated some publicity in the United States because it is the Obama Administration's first appointment of an openly gay ambassador.

In a statement announcing the nomination as well as that of David Nelson as ambassador to Uruguay, President Obama said he was confident they would represent the United States well in what were "important roles".

Mr Huebner, 49, is currently based in Shanghai for a United States law firm where he specialises in international arbitration and mediation. He also acts as general counsel for the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and has been active in several community organisations. Initially from Pennslyvania, he was educated at Princeton University and Yale Law School. He is also licensed as a solicitor in England and Wales.

Mr Huebner will replace former ambassador Bill McCormick, who returned to Washington in January. Since then, the post has been filled by Charge d'Affaires - David Keegan until August and currently Robert Clarke.

The US ambassador for New Zealand is also traditionally the ambassador for Samoa and Mr Huebner will continue to fill that role.

Former Presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton also appointed gay ambassadors in their time in office.