Rumours have suggested that a number of politicians, including Murray McCully and Tim Groser, are in the running, but the name currently being circulated for Washington is Education Minister Hekia Parata.
An appointment is not expected before the election, with the role also being tipped in parliamentary circles as a potential carrot for Winston Peters to lure NZ First into a National-led coalition.
Wouldn't it be nice if important diplomatic positions were given to actual diplomats and selected on merit, rather than being used as a retirement scheme or a corrupt coalition inducement for washed-up politicians?