 He served only fifteen months of his three-year contract and as part of a well publicised deal he relinquished the role of High Commissioner in exchange for the role of Commissioner of the Accident Compensation Corporation in Wellington.He was replaced by Douglas Carter (a recently retired National MP) which served to strengthen the public perception that his removal was politically motivated.Upon his return to New Zealand over 300 people attended a function supporting Watt after his treatment by the new government.