GOVERNMENT NEWS ARCHIVE 2001

December 4
KIWIBANK GAINS REGISTRATION, CEO

Kiwibank has gained registration as a bank and has appointed Sam Knowles as chief executive. The Reserve Bank registered Kiwibank under the name NZ Post Financial Services.

Mr Knowles has lead development of the state-owned bank since last year. He has been a senior manager for banks in Australia and New Zealand and was previously chief executive of the state-owned accident insurer At Work.

December 4
MINISTER APPROVES AIR NZ APPOINTMENT

Finance Minister Michael Cullen has endorsed the appointment of John Palmer as Air New Zealand Chair saying he has the right skills for the job. Mr Palmer chairs the companies Wrightson Ltd, Saxon Fruit Ltd and Nelson Fruit Services Ltd and his directorships include AMP Bank Ltd and Cold Storage Nelson Ltd.

The co-option of two additional board members, and Dr Cullen's approval of the same, was provided for in the Heads of Agreement negotiated between the Crown and the airline as part of the October rescue package. Roger France, a consultant and former Senior Partner with Pricewaterhouse Coopers and member of the Market Surveillance Panel of the NZ Stock Exchange, was co-opted to the board on 4 October.

October 25 SUPERFUND GUARDIAN NOMINATION COMMITTEE Finance Minister Michael Cullen has announced the membership of an independent committee to nominate people for appointments to the Board of Guardians for the New Zealand Superannuation Fund. Under the New Zealand Supperannuation legislation recently passed by Parliament, the Minister can only appoint board members if they have first been nominated by this independent committee. Those appointed to the committee are: Vance Arkinstall (Chairman) Mr Arkinstall is the Chief Executive of the Investment Savings and Insurance Association (ISI). Bruce Abraham Mr Abraham is the former Chief Executive of Colonial First State Investment Managers (NZ) Ltd and current chairman of Colonial First State Property Trust Ltd. Sid Ashton O.N.Z.M. Mr Ashton is the Chief Executive Officer Te Runanga o Ngai Tahu. He is a director of Ryman Healthcare Ltd and a chartered accountant. Annette Lusk Ms Lusk is an Executive Director of New Zealand Businesses for Social Responsibility. Rodger Spiller is the Managing Director of Money Matters (NZ) Ltd. He is a serving member of the Securities Commission and a director of New Zealand Businesses for Social Responsibility.

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October 19 POLITICAL PARTY'S REGISTRATION CANCELLED The electoral Commission has announced the cancellation of Asia Pacific United (APU) Party's registration. The decision was based on the Commission's conclusion that the number of current financial members of the party had fallen below 500. The APU party had been registered since September 1996 and stood candidates in five electorates at the last election.

12 October CHANGES IN NATIONAL LINE UP New National leader Bill English is keeping the Finance shadow portfolio for the time being and has promoted Wayne Mapp, Georgina te Heuheu and David Carter to the front bench. In turn, deposed leader Jenny Shipley, Max Bradford, and Bob Simcock are demoted. Other promotions include Lynda Scott and Simon Power, who have taken seats on the second row. Mr English announced the changes to the party's line up this afternoon and included Mrs Shipley as State Service and Trade spokesperson. The new Shadow Leader of the House will be Gerry Brownlee. Nick Smith will take up Education. He will also retain his responsibility for the Environment. Mr English said that National was at a critical stage in finalising substantial policy and decided to retain the Finance spokesmanship role. "Under this arrangement, there will be two Associate Finance spokespeople, Hon David Carter and Hon Dr Lockwood Smith. "Dr Smith will be responsible for fiscal issues and Mr Carter the balance of the portfolio. David Carter will move into the spokesmanship next year when has had time to come to grips with the portfolio," he said.

TVNZ RESTRUCTURES TELEVISION BUSINESS TVNZ has announced a management restructuring which merges TV ONE and TV2 under a new position, Head of Television. TVNZ Chief Executive Rick Ellis said the decision to restructure the company 's senior management team was so it could remain competitive in an increasingly fragmented media environment. Under the restructuring: - Shaun Brown, who is currently head of TV ONE, will become Head of Television. - Stephen Smith, the current General Manager of TV2 will move into a newly created role, Head of Online and Digital. - Alan Brookbanks, the head of the Network Operations Group will be leaving TVNZ at the end of this year to establish his own business. A new role, Head of Operations and Technology, has been created and will be led by Neil Andrew. - With the pending charter 's increased focus on public service broadcasting, the role of General Manager Marketing has been disestablished. - The role of General Manager Strategy will also be disestablished on 31 December 2001 and current manager James Munro will leave TVNZ. - Other senior executive roles of Chief Financial Officer,General Manager Public Affairs and General Manager Human Resources will remain in their current form.

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9 October BILL ENGLISH NEW NATIONAL PARTY LEADER Bill English has replaced Jenny Shipley as leader of the National Party and Roger Sowry has been elected deputy leader. Mr English, who is MP for Clutha-Southland, was elected unopposed after Mrs Shipley stood down on Monday when it became clear that she no longer had the support of the majority of National MPs. List MP Roger Sowry defeated National Chief Whip John Carter to claim the deputy position vacated by Bill English. Government Directory listings for National MPs will be updated when the full new National front-bench line-up is announced.

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September

September 18

TWO NEW ELECTORATE SEATS

Two new electorate seats will be created when the Representation Commission meets next month to draw up new boundaries.

Statistics New Zealand says the number of Mäori seats will increase from six to seven and the number of North Island seats will rise from 45 to 46. The number of South Island seats is fixed at sixteen. However, there will be two fewer list seats in the 120-member parliament as a result of the changes.

The Representation Commission is expected to begin sitting next month and should complete the electoral boundary changes within six months.

September 18

ACTING CE DEPARTMENT OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS

The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, announced today that Katrina Bach, who is currently a Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development, will be the acting chief executive of the Department of Internal Affairs and the acting Secretary for Internal Affairs.

Ms Bach will take up the acting role on 1 October when the current chief executive at Internal Affairs, Peter Hughes, takes up his appointment as the chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development. Mr Wintringham said Ms Bach would be the acting chief executive at Internal Affairs until a permanent chief executive is appointed. Mr Wintringham said he hoped to announce a permanent appointment by Christmas.

September 11
DEFENCE REVIEW AND INQUIRIES
The Minister of Defence Mark Burton has announced a review and two inquiries into accountabilities, operations and responsibilities within defence.

It is expected that the inquiries, under the authority of the State Services Commissioner and the Judge Advocate General respectively, will be completed by November, and the findings will feed into the overarching defence review.

September 11
COMMUNITY AND VOLUNTARY SECTOR STEERING GROUP APPOINTED
A ten member Steering Group to work on practical ways of improving the relationships between the community sector and government agencies was announced today by Community and Voluntary Sector Minister Steve Maharey.

The Minister said the Steering Group’s work programme would be based on the recommendations of the Community and Voluntary Sector Working Party, which reported to the Government in April.

A joint community and government work programme will look at three main areas:
- improving participatory processes around policy development and policy making;
- improving funding and accountability arrangements; and
- strengthening the community sector.

September 5

CHAIR OF PEOPLE'S BANK ANNOUNCED

Former National Prime Minister Jim Bolger is to head the board of New Zealand Post's new bank, the so-called People's Bank. Mr Bolger will also take over as chair of New Zealand Post when Ross Armstrong ends his term in the middle of next year.
Mr Bolger ends his term as New Zealand's ambassador in Washington in January.

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29 August
COMPLAINTS LAY OBSERVER DIES

The first Lay Observer, Sir John Robertson, who resigned for health reasons, sadly passed away over the weekend.

The Judicial Complaints Lay Observer is a new position, created this year to allow for the independent review of the handling of complaints about the conduct of members of the judiciary. The Lay Observer handles situations where the conduct only of judges is involved, not their decisions.

Mr Oughton's appointment is interim. A full-term appointment will be made after expressions of interest in the position are sought through advertising.

24 August
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONER RESIGNS

Human Rights Commissioner Ms Ella Henry has resigned following an incident in which she used her position in an attempt to get her partner off a driving offence. Minister of Justice Margaret Wilson initially defended Ms Henry after the Commissioner apologised to police for her action, but today accepted Ms Wilson’s resignation following wide media coverage of the case.

August 21
NEW MINISTRY OF TOURISM

The Minister of Tourism, Mark Burton, told delegates at the Tourism Conference in Rotorua that a Ministry of Tourism would be established to enhance the international marketing of New Zealand.

"I am pleased to announce that the office of Tourism and Sport will be developed as a Ministry of Tourism in keeping with the Tourism Strategy recommendation for a whole-of-government approach to tourism policy. The new Tourism Ministry's strong relationship with the Ministry of Economic Development will be maintained in the same as the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. The Ministry of Tourism will play a strong role in representing the interests of tourism within and across government".

The establishment date for the Ministry is January 2002.

August 21
NEW NZ EMBASSY IN BRAZIL

The New Zealand Embassy in Brazil opened its doors for business this week, Foreign Affairs and Trade Minister Phil Goff announced.

"The opening of the new Embassy represents an important step to enhancing our relationship with Brazil, and is an important aspect of the Government's Latin America Strategy," Phil Goff said.

"Provisional figures show New Zealand exports to Latin America in the year to June 2001 have increased by 83 percent to just over $1.2 billion. With a population of 165 million people, Brazil is among the world's top 10 economies and is the South American continent's largest. In short, Brazil offers enormous potential for New Zealand.

Helen Clark proposes to officially open the new embassy in Brasilia during her four-country Latin America visit in November.

August 17
RECORD ENROLMENTS IN MÄORI ELECTORAL OPTION

A record number of Mäori enrolments have been received by NZ Post's Electoral Enrolment Centre (EEC) during the 4-month 2001 Mäori Electoral Option campaign which closed on 1 August.

The final enrolment figures have been provided to the Government Statistician who will calculate the number of Mäori and General electoral seats for the next parliament. It is expected that due to the increase in numbers on the Mäori roll that a seventh Mäori seat will be created. The final calculations are scheduled for release in mid-September.

August 14
MINISTRY OF SOCIAL POLICY CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTMENT

State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham has announced the appointment of Peter Hughes as Chief Executive designate of the new Ministry of Social Policy, formed from the existing Ministry of Social Policy and the Department of Work and Income, which begins operating on 1 October.

"This is a once in a career life time opportunity to make a difference and I'm hugely appreciative of the confidence the Commissioner, the Minister and the Government have shown me in making this appointment," Mr Hughes said.

August 14
NEW POLITICAL PARTY REGISTERED

The Electoral Commission announced it had registered another political party, The People's Republic of Aotearoa/New Zealand. This brings the number of registered political parties to 23.

August 9
STATE SERVICES COMMISSION POSITIONS

State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham will be advertising five senior positions in the State Services Commission. The positions are for three Deputy Commissioners, and a Branch Manager for the Chief Executives Branch. On behalf of the Prime Minister the Commissioner is also seeking expressions of interest for the office of Deputy State Services Commissioner.

August 1
APPOINTMENTS TO CREATIVE NEW ZEALAND

Prime Minister Helen Clark announced today the appointment of new members to the council and the arts board of Creative New Zealand. DR Pita Sharples, Peter Brunt and Rob Garrett have been appointed to the Council for a term of three years and Murray Shaw replaces Chris Finlayson as Chair of the Arts Board.

Appointments to the Arts Board are Alastair Carruthers, Graeme Gorton and Judith Fyfe. Keri Kaa has been appointed to Te Waka Toi along with Mika and Professor Timoti Karetu. DR Marilyn Waring and Ngahuia Te Awekotuku have been re-appointed to the Creative New Zealand Council until 31 October 2003.

August 1

NEW HOUSING BOARD BEGINS WORK

The board of Housing New Zealand met for the first time last week. The new organisation is headed by former chair of Housing New Zealand, Roger Bonifant, with Patrick Sneddon as deputy chair. The board includes Lope Sasao Heath, David Lange, David Pritchard, Paul White, Maryan Street and John Hill. The organisation merges the old Housing New Zealand, Housing Corporation and Community Housing, as well as the former housing staff of the Ministry of Social Policy.

July 13
NEW HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR SOLOMONS

New Zealand's next High Commissioner to the Solomon Islands would be career diplomat Heather Riddell.
Acting Foreign Affairs Minister Jim Sutton said she would be taking up the role after a difficult time in the history of the Solomon Islands, which is experiencing its worst recession in 20 years. Ms Riddell takes up the position in January from Nick Hurley.

June 27
SECURITIES COMMISSION APPOINTMENT

Commerce Minister, Paul Swain has announced the appointment of Jane Diplock of Hunters Hill, Australia, as Chairperson of the Securities Commission for a period of five years. She will be taking over the new term from Euan Abernathy on 3 September.

June 27
MINISTRY FOR ENVIRONMENT CE RESIGNS

The Chief Executive of the Ministry for the Environment, Denise Church, has resigned.
After five years in the position Ms Church has stated she would like a better balance between her professional life and her role as a parent.

The Deputy Head of the Ministry, Lindsay Gow, will be the acting Chief Executive when Ms Church steps down in August.

June 6
RUTH DYSON REGAINS PORTFOLIO

Ruth Dyson has been reappointed to the positions she held until her resignation as a minister last October.

As well as Minister for Disability Issues, Ruth Dyson will become Associate Minister for Accident Insurance, Associate Minister of Health and Associate Minister of Social Services and Employment and will become a member of the Education and Health, and Social Equity Cabinet Committees.

Following Ruth Dyson's reappointment as a minister outside cabinet, Lianne Dalziel will no longer have responsibility for Disability Issues.

June 6
RACE RELATIONS AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION TO MERGE

The Government intends to merge the Race Relations Office with the Human Rights Commission later this year.

The move, which will mean the end of an independent office of Race Relations, has been attacked by the opposition.

May 24
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONERS BEGIN

Five new Human Rights Commissioners Rosslyn Noonan, Warren Lindberg, Ella Henry, Micheal Powles and Gregory Fortuin were welcomed to their positions at with a powhiri at Orakei Marae in Auckland last week.

"This welcome will introduce the community to the new human rights leadership in Aotearoa New Zealand," said the Chief Commissioner, Rosslyn Noonan.

May 24
NEW CHAIR FOR SES

After the resignation of Graham Lovelock following the sacking of consultant Celia Lashlie, The Specialist Education Services Board has appointed Doug Martin as the new Chair.

Education Minister Trevor Mallard said Doug Martin has had considerable management experience and would bring these skills to the task of chairing SES during its transition into the Ministry of Education.

FOOD ADMINISTRATION AUTHORITY
CREATED WITHIN MAF
A special Food Administration Authority is to be created within the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry "to safeguard New Zealand's food safety standards and reputation as a safe food exporter".

A new portfolio will be created for the Authority so that it has its own Minister, advisory board, policy capability and vote. The responsibilities of the Authority will include local government liaison in respect of health checks on public eating places, control of entry of new foods to the New Zealand market and standard setting. A timetable is yet to be set for the new legislation.

ACTING CEO'S FOR DWI AND MINISTRY OF SOCIAL POLICY
Dame Margaret Bazley will be acting chief executive of the Department of Work and Income from 6 July until the appointment of a chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development. Mr Mel Smith will be acting chief executive of the Ministry of Social Policy from 1 July until the department merges with the Department of Work and Income to become the Ministry of Social Development.

NEW OFFICE OF ETHNIC AFFAIRS
A new office of Ethnic Affairs has been established within the Department of Internal Affairs.

The Office of Ethnic Affairs provides policy advice and information to both government and non-government agencies and runs an information and referral service for ethnic communities.

TWO NEW PRESS SECRETARIES FOR ACT
Act leader Richard Prebble's new press secretary is former Hawke's Bay journalist Chris Mole. He has 20 years experience as a journalist in New Zealand and the UK.

David Young joins David Hargreaves as press secretary to the ACT Caucus. He is former editor of Waikato University magazine Nexus and has completed a three-year Bachelor of Media Arts.

NEW AMBASSADOR TO INDONESIA
New Zealand's next Ambassador to Indonesia will be career diplomat Chris Elder. He takes up his post in November 2001 and replaces Michael Green who will be returning to Wellington.

NEW CHAIR AND DIRECTORS FOR TRADE NEW ZEALAND
The Minister for Trade Negotiations, Hon Jim Sutton has announced the name of a new Chairperson and five new Directors appointed to the Board of Trade New Zealand.

ARCHIVES NZ CHIEF EXECUTIVE APPOINTED
The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, announced the appointment of Dianne Macaskill as the chief executive of Archives New Zealand and the Chief Archivist. Ms Macaskill is currently a Deputy Government Statistician at Statistics New Zealand and will take up the appointment at Archives NZ on 11 June.

HEALTH WORKFORCE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
MEMBERS NAMED
Health Minister Annette King has named the ten members of the Health Workforce Advisory Committee, a new statutory body that will advise the Government on key health workforce issues and strategies. (More information will be uploaded soon).

NEWLY APPOINTED POLICE DEPUTY COMMISSIONER
Lyn Provost, currently acting Chief Executive of Archives New Zealand has been appointed the Police's first woman Deputy Commissioner.

HOUSING CORPORATION CEO RESIGNED
Acting CEO for Housing Corporation and General Manager of Community Housing Ross Sellwood has resigned. He is to be replaced by Michael Lennon, currently Housing NZ CEO.

DAME SILVIA CARTWRIGHT SWORN IN
Dame Silvia Cartwright has been sworn in as Governor-General during a ceremony at Parliament.