. /.  WORLD TRADE  
ORGANIZATION  WT/GC/91 
23 May 2005 
 (05-2089) 
 Original:   English 
  
 
COMMUNICATION FROM NEW ZEALAND 
  
 The following communication, dated 23 May 2005,  and addressed to the Chairman of the 
General Council, is being circulated to Members at  the request of the delegation of New Zealand. 
 
 
_______________ 
 
 
Dear Ambassador Mohamed 
  I have been instructed by my authorities in Wellington to advise you that Ambassador Tim Groser has been stood down from his duties a nd position as New Zealand's Ambassador and 
Permanent Representative to the WTO with effect from Monday 23 May 2005.  
 This is a legally necessary consequence of hi s personal decision to stand for election to 
Parliament in New Zealand.  Wher e a New Zealand citizen who is also a government official chooses 
to stand for this political office, it is a requirement  of the New Zealand Electoral Act that the person 
concerned is "stood down" from the official position he  or she holds.  In this case, the Secretary of 
Foreign Affairs and Trade has acted accordingly. 
 
 Tim Groser has advised, additionally, that it is in fact also his imminent intention to formally retire from government service.  In the meantime he will remain in Geneva using leave due to him. 
  The overall impact of these deci sions is that with effect 23 May 2005, Tim Groser is not only 
no longer serving as New Zealand's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO, but also 
he no longer has any official position within the New Zealand delegation to the WTO and has no 
intention of resuming that role.  He has chosen to  return to private life as a candidate for political 
office.    At the same time, the New Zealand Government  is conscious that, in the context of his 
position hitherto as Ambassador and Permanent Re presentative to the WTO, Tim was appointed by 
the WTO General Council as Chairman of the Ag riculture Negotiating Group and the Cotton Sub-
Committee.  
It is clear that Tim is now no longer serving in the official position from which he was 
appointed to the latter positions by the WTO Membership .  It is also clear that the ongoing and future 
Chairmanship of these bodies remains a matter fo r the WTO General Council itself to determine. 
 In the event that it was the wish of the General Council to retain Tim's services for a time as 
Chair, the New Zealand Government would wish to be  as helpful as possible within the constraints of 
New Zealand law and convention.  That reflects th e fact that the New Zealand Government places the 
highest importance and priority to the successful  and timely conclusion of the Doha Development 
Agenda. WT/GC/91 
Page 2  
 
  In that regard I have been instructed to let you know that the New Zealand Government 
would be prepared to consider facilitating Tim's avai lability to continue a Chairing role, should that be 
the wish of the Membership, by resourcing him separately for a transitional period.  Such support, if provided, could be made available only up to "N omination Day" as it is known under New Zealand 
legislation.  That date is not predetermined, but is  fixed as one month prior to the date of a General 
Election.  The latter date is not yet known but cannot be later than 24 September 2005 (i.e.  
"nomination day" can be earlier, but  no later, than 24 August 2005).  
  Thus, while we cannot provide complete precisi on, it is reasonably likely that, as a practical 
matter, this would see Tim Groser effectively resourced through to around the Northern Summer 
break if that was, in the Council's view, needed and in the overall interests of the Round.   It is the New Zealand Government's intenti on to fill the now vacant position of New Zealand 
Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the WTO no later than August 2005.  Pending that 
appointment, I will continue as Acting Permanent Representative. 
  
     Yours sincerely 
  
     T o n y  L y n c h  
     Acting Permanent Representative 
  
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