over diplomatic posting

Niue

Row brewing over diplomatic posting

A row is brewing on Niue over the appointment to the island’s only overseas diplomatic post Consul General in Auckland.

Until the end of January, the post had always been filled by a career public servant. But in a radical departure from accepted practice, a Niuean living permanently in Auckland was appointed over local applicants Opposition parliamentarian and former cabinet minister Fisa Pihigia has accused Premier Frank Lui of giving the post to a crony. Another parliamentarian Michael Jackson says it is an insult to the many capable people on Niue both in the public service and outside. Jackson says it is wrong as well as inappropriate to appoint a permanent resident of another country to Niue’s top diplomatic post. However, the appointment was not totally unexpected as Lui had previously floated the idea.