In a recent announcement, President Donald Trump has nominated Jared Novelly as the United States Ambassador to New Zealand and the Independent State of Samoa. Novelly is the chairman of Crest Sports and Entertainment and Crest Management, and is notably the majority owner of the Illawarra Hawks, an Australian professional basketball team.
President Trump described Novelly as a "highly respected philanthropist" and expressed confidence in his ability to "fight hard to protect our Nation’s interests in the Indo-Pacific, and always put AMERICA FIRST."
The appointment of Novelly underscores the administration's focus on strengthening ties in the Indo-Pacific region, a strategically significant area amid evolving geopolitical dynamics. New Zealand and the U.S. share a longstanding relationship rooted in democratic values, mutual trade interests, and regional security collaborations.
New Zealand's Foreign Minister, Winston Peters, has expressed optimism about the bilateral relationship, highlighting priorities such as advancing Pacific initiatives, expanding bilateral trade, and increasing collaboration in sectors important to New Zealand, including space exploration.
Novelly's nomination is subject to Senate confirmation. If confirmed, he will succeed Scott Brown, who served as Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa from 2017 to 2020.
This nomination reflects the administration's ongoing efforts to appoint individuals with diverse backgrounds to key diplomatic positions, aiming to bolster U.S. interests and partnerships in critical regions worldwide.
