Rosemary Banks | |
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New Zealand Ambassador to the United States | |
Assumed office 2024 | |
Preceded by | Bede Corry |
In office 2018–2022 | |
Preceded by | Tim Groser |
Succeeded by | Bede Corry |
Personal details | |
Born | 1951 (age 73–74) |
Alma mater | University of Canterbury,London School of Economics |
Rosemary Banks (born 1951) is a New Zealand diplomat who serves as the Ambassador of New Zealand to the United States. She first held that position from 2018 to 2022 and was appointed to a second term in 2024. [1] She is the first woman to hold the position. [2]
Banks graduated with an MA in Russian from the University of Canterbury, [3] and received an MSc from the London School of Economics. She was awarded an honorary doctorate of literature by the University of Canterbury in April 2015. [4]
Banks served as New Zealand deputy high commissioner to the Solomon Islands between 1985 and 1987,and to Australia from 1992 until 1995. [3]
As deputy secretary in New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade,Banks spearheaded the development of a new emergency response system,following the September 11 attacks in 2001,the 2002 Bali bombings,and the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami. [5]
She was New Zealand's Permanent Representative to the United Nations in New York from June 2005 to June 2009, [6] and Ambassador to France and Permanent Representative to the OECD from 2010 to 2014. [7] In 2018,Banks succeeded Tim Groser as New Zealand ambassador to the United States. [8] She served in that capacity until 2022 and was reappointed in 2024,succeeding Bede Corry. [2] Her second term will end in early 2026 when the appointment of Chris Seed takes effect. [9]
Banks has also served as a Crown negotiator for the Treaty of Waitangi settlement process from 2016 to 2018. [5]
Banks was married to the political journalist and historian Brian Lockstone until his death,aged 77,in December 2021. [10] [11]