Seafood magnate nominated for US ambassador's post

An American who owns seafood restaurants across the United States is President George Bush's nominee as the next ambassador to New Zealand.

William McCormick, of Oregon, is slated to replace Charles Swindells who has served as ambassador in Wellington since 2001.

The White House announcement said Mr McCormick was co-founder and chairman of McCormick and Schmick Management Group. If the nomination is accepted he would also be ambassador to Samoa.

He opened the company's first McCormick and Schmick's Seafood Restaurant 30 years ago. Earlier in his life, he served in the US Army Reserve.

A press statement said the nomination had been sent to the Senate for confirmation, although a spokeswoman for the embassy could not say yesterday when the confirmation hearing would be.

A Republican, Mr McCormick was appointed to President Bush's committee on the arts and humanities in 2001.

Mr Swindells fired a parting shot before leaving New Zealand this month, warning the relationship with the US was "starved of trust" and drifting backwards.

He called for a "comprehensive dialogue" to repair the relationship that had lacked trust and respect since the rift over anti-nuclear legislation in the mid-80s.

His speech portrayed feelings between the two countries in far worse repair than the New Zealand Government sees it.

McCormick and Schmick is listed on the Nasdaq. It has more than 50 seafood restaurants in 23 states.