Dame Ann given New York post

Press, 1 July 1988, Page 1

Dame Ann given New York post

By

BRENDON BURNS

Dame Ann Hercus, who will become New Zealand’s Permanent Representative at the United Nations, in August, said the Prime Minister, Mr Lange, had offered her the- post a long time ago.

The appointment was announced yesterday by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Marshall.

Dame Ann said that since she retired from politics at the 1987 'General Election, news media reports had suggested she was to get a diplomatic job almost everywhere in the world. “In fact, the initiative of asking me if I would serve at the United Nations was the Prime Minister’s, made a very long time ago.” In announcing her retirement from politics, Dame Ann had said the 120-hour working week of a Cabinet Minister had taken its toll. She did not expect a similar workload in her new post.

“I can assure you it will not be as great as carrying three portfolios in a New Zealand Government,” she said. She was Minister of Police,

Social Welfare, and Women’s Affairs, and had been member of Parliament for Lyttelton for nine years on her retirement from politics. The Foreign Service Association, which represents the interests of career diplomats, responded cautiously to Dame Ann’s appointment.

It did not enter into discussion about individual appointments, said the association president, Ms Caroline Forsyth. “The association has from its foundation urged the appointment of trained and professional career officers to fill positions overseas.”

Dame Ann said she brought skills to the job that a career diplomat did not possess. “The United Nations is rather like a Parliament and anyone with Parliamentary experience — and I think Cabinet experience — has that kind of skill and background to take into the job.” This included the ability to engage in “horse-trading” and backroom lobbying.

She succeeds Mr David McDowell, a career diplomat.

Editorial, page 8