Wellington  - The New Zealand government is breaking with normal diplomatic practice and sending a former politician, Jim McLay, to New York as its representative to the United Nations, it was announced on Wednesday.

The post has traditionally been held by a senior career diplomat, but the conservative National Party government elected in November has chosen one of its veteran advisers who served as a cabinet minister and deputy prime minister between 1978 and 1984.

"Jim McLay brings a wealth of experience to a position of great importance for New Zealand," Foreign Minister Murray McCully said.

McLay will replace career diplomat Rosemary Banks in the job in July. (dpa)