WELLINGTON, May 13 -- The New Zealand government has reappointed former ambassador to China John McKinnon to the post again from next year as the country expands its diplomatic presence in China.

Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully on Tuesday named John McKinnon, ambassador to China from 2001 to 2004, as New Zealand's next representative in Beijing.

"New Zealand's relationship with China has become one of our most important," McCully said in a statement.

"In the past six years the value of two-way goods trade has doubled, while the value of our exports has tripled," he said.

"In response, we are expanding our diplomatic presence and we will open a new post in western China later this year - our fourth diplomatic office on the mainland."

The new post would help promote New Zealand as a tourism and investment destination, while also being a base for New Zealand companies looking to expand beyond the coastal cities of China.

McKinnon is currently the executive director of the Asia New Zealand Foundation and was previously Secretary of Defense.

"He has a strong background in the region and is well-placed to lead our growing engagement with China," said McCully.

McKinnon would take up his role at the beginning of 2015 and would also be accredited to Mongolia.

He will succeed current ambassador Carl Worker.

In an interview with Xinhua in March last year, McKinnon said New Zealanders needed to develop greater personal contacts with Asian cultures and communities in order to increase their understanding of the continent and its significance to their future.