Jim Weir (diplomat)
James Harrison Weir (8 June 1922 – 19 November 2012) was a New Zealand professional diplomat.
Weir was born in Christchurch. He graduated in history from the University of Canterbury with a thesis on the function and development of the press in New Zealand.[1] After this, he joined the New Zealand Diplomatic Service in 1947, where he was one of “Mac’s Team”, the original group recruited by Alister McIntosh to establish a New Zealand presence overseas.
He established a presence in overlooked regions; Southeast Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. He was posted or cross-accredited to or spent substantial time in Cairo,
His most notable appointment was as ambassador to Moscow from 1977 to 1980, until he was expelled as a tit-for-tat when the Soviet ambassador Vsevolod Sofinsky was expelled for passing funds to the pro-Soviet Socialist Unity Party of New Zealand.[2]
He was noted for his ability to report succinctly from overseas posts and for commenting on over-pompous aspects of protocol. He wrote two books of recollections and three of New Zealand quotations.
He died in Wellington. His wife Mary (Mollie) predeceased him; they are survived by a son and three daughters.
Books by Jim Weir
- Letters from Moscow (1988)
- New Zealand Wit and Wisdom (1998)
- Strong Language (2007)
- Eat, Drink and be Wary (2011)
- Quotable New Zealand Quotes (2012)
References
- hdl:10092/5502.
- ^ "Soviet ambassador expelled". New Zealand History. Ministry for Culture and Heritage. 29 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2015.
- Obituary Weir excelled as NZ diplomat by Brian Lynch in The Dominion Post, 1 December 2012 page C6.