New US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during his swearing in as the 72nd person to hold the title, on 21 January, in the Vice President's office in Washington DC. Photo: AFP/ Alex Wong
US President Donald Trump has announced the new US Ambassador to New Zealand, as Minister for Foreign Affairs Winston Peters speaks to the new US Secretary of state.
Trump announced in a Truth Social post that Jared Novelly will be the new US Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa.
( @realDonaldTrump - Truth Social Post )
— Donald J. Trump TRUTH POSTS (@TruthTrumpPosts) January 24, 2025
( Donald J. Trump - Jan 24, 2025, 4:23 PM ET )
I am pleased to announce that Jared Novelly will serve as the next United States Ambassador to New Zealand and the Independent State of Samoa.
Jared is a highly respected philanthropist, and… pic.twitter.com/aJQ2A9ELYe
In his post, Trump called Novelly "a highly respected philanthropist, and Chairman of Crest Sports and Entertainment and Crest Management.
"He will fight hard to protect our Nation's interests in the Indo-Pacific, and always put AMERICA FIRST."
Novelly is the owner of the Illiwarra Hawks basketball team and a shareholder in the East Asia Superleague.
Crest Sports and Entertainment is described as an Australian-American investment company.
The Sydney Morning Herald has reported that Novelly's corporate records show he was appointed a director of the Illawarra Hawks in 2020, "but is better known in his hometown of St Louis, Missouri, as a member of the wealthy Apex Oil family," headed by Paul Anthony Novelly.
The White House has not yet made an official announcement after Trump's social media post.
Novelly would replace Joe Biden appointee and former Democrat Congressman and Senator Tom Udall, who has stepped down from the post.
Trump has named Jared Novelly, right, owner of the Illiwarra Hawks basketball team, the new Ambassador to New Zealand. Photo: Emily Barker / Getty Images
Peters speaks to new Secetary of State
Earlier, New Zealand's Minister for Foreign Affairs spoke with new US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to reaffirm New Zealand's partnership with the United States.
Rubio has hosted phone calls with several international ministers during his first week in government, including from China and Israel.
"Based on today's discussion and our experience of working closely with the first Trump Administration, we are confident that the New Zealand-United States relationship can go from strength to strength in the years ahead," Winston Peters wrote in a post on X.
"Our strategic partnership matters a great deal to the security and prosperity of New Zealand and the Indo-Pacific region."
US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said in a statement that the two discussed issues important to both nations.
"The Secretary and the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the strong US-New Zealand partnership and its importance in promoting security and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region.
"They discussed efforts to enhance security cooperation, address regional challenges, and support the Pacific Islands.
"The Secretary praised New Zealand's commitment to defending our shared values and its proactive stance in aligning with like-minded partners to address these challenges."
Peters hoped both governments could build on existing bilateral trade agreements and collaborate in "critical sectors such as space".
On 5 January Peters spoke to the previous US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.
