Former Speaker Trevor Mallard is returning early from Ireland, ending his job as Ambassador. 

Winston Peters has appointed senior foreign affairs staffer Angela Hassan-Sharp as his replacement, saying his behaviour during the anti-mandate occupation at Parliament should've disqualified him from the role. 

Peters says only experienced diplomats, not former politicians, should be posted overseas. 

Former MP and former diplomat Maurice Williamson told Kerre Woodham the idea that politicians should never be appointed as diplomats is too black and white. 

He says that often those with political weight behind their name have advantages regular diplomats don't, such as with former Trade Minister Tim Grosser, who became the Ambassador to Washington. 

However, Williamson says, they do need to be diplomats first and foremost and understand how diplomatic processes and channels work.  

LISTEN ABOVE