KEY POINTS:
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has rejected claims that the appointment of one of his NZ First MPs to a diplomatic post was a case of "jobs for the boys".
The worst-kept secret in Parliament was finally confirmed yesterday, with the announcement that New Zealand First MP Brian Donnelly
was resigning to take up the position of High Commissioner to the Cook Islands.
Mr Peters said Mr Donnelly's appointment was purely on merit.
"There have been many MPs appointed [to diplomatic posts], some appropriately, some not, over many, many years. I don't want to categorise the successes or failures, but in this case you have got someone eminently qualified, who I believe will have the support of all parliamentarians and indeed the Pacific Island community and the Pacific itself."
Mr Donnelly worked in the Cook Islands in the late 1970s and has represented the country in rugby. He also has two adopted Cook Islands children. He will replace retiring High Commissioner John Bryan.
Mr Donnelly said that since the 1980s he had planned to return to the Cook Islands if the opportunity arose, and his acceptance of the posting was the fulfilment of a long-held desire to give something back to that country. He was confident he had earned his new post on merit. "I have always only ever asked to be considered on a best person for the job basis. I hope that is the way that it has been."
Mr Donnelly, from Northland, was elected to Parliament in the first MMP election, in 1996. He became Minister of the Education Review Office, Associate Minister of Education and Associate Minister of Pacific Island Affairs in the National/New Zealand First coalition, but resigned in 1998 with his fellow New Zealand First Ministers.
"One of the most important things I ever did was resigning my ministerial warrant on a matter of principle," Mr Donnelly said.
"I think that upheld the principle of democracy and I believe that is such a precious thing New Zealanders have, that it is worth upholding."
Mr Donnelly, who worked as a teacher for 25 years, said working on education issues was one of his proudest achievements in Parliament.
Mr Donnelly gives his valedictory speech tomorrow and begins his new job on February 21. It is understood that the two people on New Zealand First's party list, Susan Baragwanath and Jim Peters, will stand aside so party president Dail Jones - a former National and New Zealand First MP - can return to Parliament.