US appoints ambassador to New Zealand

New Zealand will soon have a new ambassador from the United States, with new former New Mexico senator Tom Udall has been confirmed to the role.

The top US diplomatic post in Wellington has been vacant since December when Donald Trump appointee Scott Brown, also a former senator, left the role.

Reuters on Wednesday reported Mr Udall was confirmed by a voice vote in the bitterly divided Senate, home to 50 representatives aligned to President Joe Biden and 50 members of the Republican party.

Mr Udall served New Mexico in Washington for 22 years, and was appointed by Mr Biden to the post of Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa in July.