Rosemary Banks
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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]
Career
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]
