Australia has appointed the head of its new Pacific office within the country's Foreign Ministry.
Head of Australia's Office of the Pacific, Ewen McDonald Photo: DFAT
Ewen McDonald, who is currently Australia's High Commissioner to New Zealand the Cook Islands and Niue, will take up the role.
Foreign Minister Marise Payne said the office, which was announced in November, will help Australia to better engage with the Pacific.
"This will build on our already deep relationship with the region and support the delivery of the Australian Government's package of innovative new initiatives in the Pacific, including labour mobility and infrastructure financing," Ms Payne said in a statement.