Udall was confirmed by the Senate in October 2021 and was in New Zealand by December, about nine months after Biden was inaugurated.
Scott Brown, Trump’s previous Ambassador to New Zealand, was confirmed within six months of the President taking office and here about six weeks later.
Novelly, originally from St Louis, Missouri, owns the Illawarra Hawks – a basketball team that competes in the National Basketball League in Australia.
He holds a Masters of Property Development from the University of Technology Sydney and a BA from Saint Louis University in St Louis, Missouri.
US Ambassador Jared Novelly presenting his credentials to Governor General Dame Cindy Kiro. Photo / Supplied
During his confirmation hearing, Novelly said his priority in the new job will be “expanding our defence partnership”.
He has also made his interest clear in the critical minerals found in the seabed around the Cook Islands.
Novelly said he would work “tirelessly to advance President Trump’s and Secretary [Marco] Rubio’s foreign policies”.
“In advancing the President’s agenda, we have few better partners than New Zealand. The Government of New Zealand consistently supports our goals in the region and beyond,” the nominee said.
Alongside being Trump’s man in Wellington, the post comes with representing the US in Samoa, the Cook Islands, and Niue.
Novelly intended to “do everything in my power to take our relationship to new heights”.
He listed three priorities, including partnering with New Zealand to “promote a free and open Pacific”, “expanding our defence partnership with New Zealand” and “promoting opportunities for US business entities”.
“Few countries understand the darkening security environment in the Pacific better than New Zealand,” Novelly said.