Members and Friends of the US | NZ Council,
The US | NZ Council enthusiastically welcomes the Honorable Mark Gilbert as the new U.S. Ambassador to New Zealand. Accompanied by his wife Nancy and their daughters Dani and Elizabeth, Ambassador Gilbert was sworn into office by Vice President Biden Wednesday, January 7th before a packed house on the State Department’s 8th floor. The Council was honored to host the Ambassador for his first official meeting on January 8th for a breakfast. The newly-minted Ambassador said the President is firmly committed to completing a highly-quality TPP. He said the President and the Vice President are each very interested in visiting New Zealand during their last two years in office. He pledged to have an open door to U.S. businesses interested in working in New Zealand. The breakfast discussions also included such topics as Ambassador Gilbert’s career as a major league baseball player with the Chicago White Sox and next month’s ICC Cricket World Cup in New Zealand.
Ambassador Gilbert and US | NZ Council Board Member Fiona Hutchinson
The US | NZ Council has also begun discussions with the NZUS Council on the next Pacific Partnership Forum, which is scheduled to be held in Auckland June 30 – July 1, 2015. Attendance will be limited. Please mark your calendars! More details forthcoming.
For more information on Ambassador Gilbert please see the information below:
Mark Gilbert’s Background and Confirmation Hearing Testimony before Senate Foreign Relations Committee
Previously Mark Gilbert formally accepted his nomination at a hearing before the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and his confirmation hearing was held on February 13, 2014 – along with nominees for Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Kuwait.
Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), James Risch (R-ID), and John Barrasso (R-WY) were in attendance. In his comments to the Committee, Gilbert said he could imagine no higher honor than to serve as ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa. Gilbert told the Committee he would use his background in global finance and investment to promote a stronger economic link between the countries.
Gilbert replaces former Ambassador David Huebner.
New US Ambassador a Step Closer
