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Senior New Zealand First MP Brian Donnelly is strongly tipped to be the next High Commissioner to the Cook Islands, in a political appointment likely to annoy people in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Mr Donnelly's appointment has not been confirmed and the process is understood to be in its early stages. But although it could yet be derailed, Mr Donnelly is understood to be likely to get the job.
It is not clear if Mr Donnelly, a list MP and former minister outside Cabinet, would need to resign from Parliament before next year's election to take the position.
If he did, he would be replaced by the next person on his party's list, Susan Baragwanath, founder of NZ's first school for teenage parents.
Mr Donnelly could not be contacted last night to comment, but on 3 News he said he did not know what the reporter asking him about the appointment was talking about.
A spokesman for Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters, the leader of Mr Donnelly's party, said he had no comment on the matter.
The appointment of MPs to overseas posts is a matter of some sensitivity in local diplomatic circles, where it is often preferred that career diplomats get the jobs.
Mr Peters has indicated he prefers non-political appointments to overseas posts.
Examples of such appointments include former Speaker and Labour MP Jonathan Hunt now serving as high commissioner in London and, previously, former National Party Prime Minister Jim Bolger serving in Washington.
Former Labour backbencher Graeme Kelly was high commissioner to Canada and former Alliance Cabinet minister Sandra Lee once held the same role in Niue.
The current High Commissioner to Rarotonga, career diplomat John Bryan, took up the role in August 2005. The tenure is usually three years.
