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GOVERNMENT NEWS ARCHIVE 2004 |
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January |
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The government agency that funds most of New Zealand's research, science and technology has a new Chief Executive. He's Murray Bain who is currently Assistant Governor at the Reserve Bank. Announcing this today the Chairman of the Foundation for Research, Science and Technology, Neil Richardson says Mr Bain has held a wide variety of senior management positions in both private and public organisations including the Trust Bank Group, ACC, Industry New Zealand and the New Zealand Wool Board. In addition, he currently holds a number of director positions including a Crown Research Institute - Environmental Science and Research Limited and private companies. 21 January Two new appointments to the Waitangi Tribunal were announced today by Maori Affairs Minister Parekura Horomia. Chief Judge Joe Williams, acting chairperson of the tribunal for the last year and deputy-chairperson since 2000, has been confirmed as chairperson for a term of two and a half years. "I wish to thank the Chief judge for standing in as the acting chair over the last year," said Parekura Horomia. Historian Dr Angela Ballara has been appointed as a new member for a three year term. Judge Williams (Ngati Pukena, Te Arawa) was co-founder of a successful law firm before being appointed Chief Judge of the Maori Land Court in 1999. Mr Horomia says that since Judge Williams took on the position of deputy chairperson of the tribunal in 2000, he has successfully reformed and refocused the inquiry process of the tribunal and significantly reduced the time spent on district inquiries. Dr Ballara is a leading
authority on Maori customary history and has written on
race relations and other Maori issues for numerous journals
and publications. Currently she works with the Dictionary
of New Zealand Biography, contributing to both the English
and Maori-language volumes. Her most recent work was "Taua:
Musket Wars, Land Wars or Tikanga?" which deals with
warfare in Maori society in the early 19th century. 13 January Ben Dalton has been appointed acting Chief Executive. CUSTOMS INCREASES
FRONT LINE STAFF 1 January The country's new final court of appeal, the Supreme Court, leads a list of a new laws and regulations ushered in by the new year. From January 1, the Supreme Court replaces the Privy Council as the final appeal body for New Zealand cases. The Supreme Court Act was passed last year in the face of significant opposition. BCL TELEVISION NEW
ZEALAND SPLIT The new state owned enterprise will focus on generating profits from opportunities in both Australia and New Zealand.
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| 25 February
Former Commissioner for Children and National Cabinet Minister Roger McClay has been appointed to the new position of senior advisor to NZ First leader Winston Peters. "Mr McClay has huge political knowledge and vast experience, perspective and knowledge in the area of children and family affairs," said Mr Peters. GOVERNMENT BACKS ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL ORGAN DONOR AGENCY Health Minister Annette King says the Government backs setting up a national organ donation agency to give a national focus to organ donation, to expand the education of health professionals and to co-ordinate organ donation. "Establishing 'Organ Donation New Zealand' will give organ donation a national focus. The agency will work with health professionals, particularly in the intensive care setting, on developing greater understanding of issues. This is a sensitive and complex area and by its nature is always associated with grieving families, but I believe the new national agency will help allow the many perspectives on the issues to be better understood." Ms King said it was proposed that the agency, to be set up in 2004-05, would be led by a full or part-time medical director reporting to a national advisory board. The announcement was part of the Government's response to the report of the Health Select Committee on a petition requesting "that the House take action to address the organ donation shortage in New Zealand". Ms King said the Government accepted many of the committee's recommendations designed to ensure organ donation processes in New Zealand are co-ordinated effectively. 24 February Prime Minister Helen Clark has announced a significant reshuffle of Cabinet responsibilities in the wake of the resignation of Commerce and Immigration Minister Lianne Dalziel. In addition to the reallocation of Ms Dalziel's portfolios the Labour, Transport and Fisheries portfolios have been reassigned; a new position of Minister for Race Relations created and Dunedin South MP and Chief Whip David Benson-Pope has been promoted to Cabinet. Mr Benson-Pope will become the Minister of Fisheries; Associate Minister of Justice; Associate Minister for the Environment with responsibilities relating to the Resource Management Act and will have responsibility for the Law Commission. Minister of State Services
and Associate Minister of Finance Trevor Mallard has been
given a new responsibility as Co-ordinating Minister, Race
Relations. "There has been
no clear ministerial responsibility in this area at all.
The Minister of Treaty Negotiations task is a narrow one
involving the settlement of historical claims, and that
task remains with Margaret Wilson," she said.
The Labour caucus also made two new appointments in the whips' office. Whanganui MP Jill Pettis will become the new senior government whip, and Otaki MP Darren Hughes will be the new junior government whip. The portfolio changes
will take effect from 26 February. 20 February
DONNA AWATERE HUATA
LOSES 18 February CHARITIES COMMISSION
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MARK BLUMSKY NEW
UNITED FUTURE PRESIDENT 16 February The Government has named two people to lead the Commission of Inquiry into the police handling of rape complaints. They are the High Court
Judge and Law Commission chairman Bruce Robertson, and the
retired public servant Dame Margaret Bazley. 13 February 10 February Suspended ACT MP Donna
Awatere Huata's injunction case will be heard in the High
Court in Auckland on Thursday and Friday this week accounting
to the ACT Party. The hearing will examine the interim injunction
preventing ACT leader Richard Prebble from sending a letter
to the Speaker under the Electoral Integrity Act to have
her removed from parliament. If successful - in court and
with the Speaker - the move would lead to Donna Awatere
Huata being expelled from Parliament and her place being
taken by Kenneth Wong, the next person on the ACT party
list. 3 February National Party Leader Don Brash has today made Deputy Leader Gerry Brownlee Maori Affairs spokesperson in place of Georgina te Heuheu. Mrs te Heuheu had expressed reservations about the new hard-line position on race relations set out by Dr Brash last week. . Mrs te Heuheu was also stood down from her role as associate spokesperson on Constitutional and Treaty Issues, with Gerry Brownlee also taking on that role. Dr Brash said consideration was being given to alternative portfolio responsibilities for Mrs te Heuheu, with a decision on that expected in a few weeks. She will retain the Broadcasting portfolio. NEW STAFFER FOR NATIONAL National Party Leader Don Brash today announced the appointment of a new staffer in a minor reshuffle of his backroom team. Bryan Sinclair has been appointed Special Advisor/Projects to concentrate on Auckland and regional projects. Peter Keenan, formerly designated Communications Manager, instead becomes Policy and Strategy Advisor, to more accurately reflect his role.
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26 March Dr Andrew West has been
appointed Chief Executive Officer of AgResearch, the Crown
Research Institute focused on biological science. CEO FOR UNITED FUTURE NEW ZEALAND United Future has appointed its first Chief Executive Officer, former commercial lawyer, Gina Woodfield. Party President Mark Blumsky said that with rapid growth in party numbers and eight MP's now in Parliament, United Future needed dedicated management of its organisational wing. Gina Woodfield, 29,
has held leadership positions within United Future since
the party was formed in 2000 including that of regional
chairperson in Auckland and member of the Board of Management.
Prior to accepting the position of CEO, she was a senior
solicitor with corporate law firm Chapman Tripp in Auckland. 24 March 22 March Social Development and Employment Minister Steve Maharey has taken leave from Cabinet following the death of his wife Liz Mackay, after a long illness. Prime Minister Helen
Clark said today that acting ministers were being appointed
for Mr Maharey's portfolios until further notice. The acting ministers are:
17 March 8 March A Workplace Productivity Working Group has been established to report to the Government on policy options for lifting workplace productivity. Dr James Buwalda, Chief Executive of the Department of Labour, will sponsor the group and the members are:
Officials from the Department of Labour, Treasury, Ministry of Economic Development, and NZ Trade and Enterprise will also be included. They will report to
a Ministerial Reference Group of the Ministers of Labour,
Finance and Economic Development by the end of July. TRANS-TASMAN BUILDING COUNCIL The NZ and Australian governments are to establish a Trans-Tasman Building Regulatory Reform Council. Members will be drawn from the Ministry of Economic Development, the NZ Building Industry Authority, the Australian Building Codes Board and the Australian Department of Industry Tourism and Resources. The Council's activities will include:
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1 March The Comptroller of Customs, Robin Dare, passed away late yesterday, in Wellington hospital. "It was with great
sadness that I learnt last night of the death of Robin Dare,
Chief Executive of the New Zealand Customs Service and Comptroller
of Customs," said Michael Wintringham, State Services
Commissioner. "He provided strong
leadership for New Zealand Customs during a time of international
instability and increased concern for the security of our
borders. He was highly respected internationally by customs
colleagues. NEW STATE SERVICES COMMISSIONER ANNOUNCED State Services Minister Trevor Mallard today announced the appointment of Mark Prebble as the next State Services Commissioner. Mark Prebble will replace the present State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, who retires from public service in late May. Trevor Mallard said Mark Prebble would bring to the post a broad range of experience at the most senior levels of the public service. "This experience, together with his strong commitment to high standards in public management, will ensure the state sector continues to strengthen its response to the needs of the government and to all sectors of the community," Trevor Mallard said. "This government is working hard to further strengthen public services through a focus on building up the skills and capabilities of staff and public service leaders, and on encouraging more collaboration between public service organisations so ordinary New Zealanders are better off. "I expect Mark Prebble will play an important role in this area as well as other areas of work, bringing energy, and a rigorous and principled leadership to the public service, to the state sector, and to the State Services Commission itself." Mark Prebble is currently chief executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, a position he has held since 1998. A career public servant, Mark Prebble has worked in a number of important policy and managerial roles, including as Deputy Secretary to the Treasury, and Acting Secretary to the Treasury. Earlier in his career he worked in Treasury and the Department of Labour, in areas including Budget management, health and social assistance reform, employment policy and land use. He began his working life as an alpine guide and mountaineering instructor at Mt Cook, and as a tutor in economics in Auckland and Wellington. Trevor Mallard paid tribute to Michael Wintringham's achievements as State Services Commissioner since 1997. "Michael Wintringham has led the state sector well, and has worked hard to meet several critical challenges in the public service, including leadership and management development, e-government, and the promotion of ethics and values. He has achieved real progress in all of these areas," Trevor Mallard said. The State Services Commissioner has a key management role in the public service, and in the wider state sector. The Commissioner is responsible for appointing departmental chief executives and for managing their performance, for advising the government about the shape and efficiency of the state sector, and for maintaining high standards of ethical conduct. Mark Prebble is on leave from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for the next three months and will take up his appointment as Commissioner on 28 May 2004. State Services Commissioner Michael Wintringham is moving now to fill the position of chief executive in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet that will be vacant when Mark Prebble takes up his new position.
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| 30 April Ms Turia this afternoon announced from Ratana Pa in front of around 300 supporters that she will cross the floor and vote against the Government over its seabed and foreshore bill. She said she will formally
resign from the Labour Party on Friday May 19. 28 April Rumours of a leadership challenge to Mr Prebble had resurfaced in recent weeks, following the party's recent poor poll results, but Mr Prebble is understood to have still had the support of the majority of the Act caucus at the time of his announcement. The Act caucus has decided to ask the party to select the new leader using a primary system, similar to that used parties in the US to select presidential candidates. "I will remain
leader until the outcome of the primary, and caucus and
the board under ACT's rules have had an opportunity to receive
the result of the primary and have formally endorsed the
election of the new leader. OUTDOOR RECREATION
PLANS MERGER WITH UNITED FUTURE CELENTIS CEO TO LEAVE Last week Dr Washer announced that Celentis would be embarking on a restructuring, enabling the company shareholding to be widened beyond AgResearch. The Chairman of Celentis,
Mr Rick Christie said Dr Washer would remain with Celentis
to see through the development and implementation of the
restructure. Dr Neil Richardson, recently retired Chairman
of the Foundation for Research Science & Technology,
has been appointed to Chair the Establishment Board of the
new organisation and to work closely with Dr Washer to oversee
and manage the process. NEW INSPECTOR-GENERAL
OF INTELLIGENCE AND SECURITY
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The
ACT caucus has decided to re-elect all positions in a special
Caucus on the weekend 12/13 June. The primary vote for the
leadership closes Friday 11 June and the Caucus will consider
all positions. Hon Ken Shirley, Muriel Newman and Deborah
Coddington are all eligible to stand again as Deputy, Whip,
and Caucus Board representative (provided they have not
been elected to some other position). The new leader makes
all portfolio responsibilities, select committee appointments,
and seniority in the House. 21
May The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham today announced the appointment of Paula Tyler as Chief Executive of the Department of Child, Youth and Family Services. Mr Wintringham said Canadian Ms Tyler has spent most of her public sector career in social services in a variety of policy and management positions. She has been in her current role as Deputy Minister (equivalent of a Chief Executive in the New Zealand Public Service) of Alberta's Children's Services Department since 1999. "Ms Tyler joined the Alberta Public Service in 1989 and since that time has held progressively more senior roles. Ms Tyler has established a new Ministry, managing both the policy and operations split from the social development agency and has restructured service delivery to improve accountability and efficiency. She has developed a management model for her department that has been seen as so effective that other jurisdictions in Canada have taken it up." Prior to working with government Ms Tyler was a special education teacher and from 1978 to 1989 had a number of community leadership responsibilities advocating for services for persons with disabilities. She has a Bachelor of Education from the University of Alberta. Mr
Wintringham says there are many parallels between Ms Tyler's
role in Alberta and her new role. "Ms Tyler has responsibilities
for 2,500 employees spread across a large geographical area. "Her Canadian experience is very relevant to the New Zealand role, but she also recognises the management and cultural differences between the two jurisdictions. She is experienced in building and maintaining relationships with a wide range of community interests and has a thorough knowledge of social work practice. Her whole career has been about making a difference in the lives of children. New Zealand will now benefit from that commitment and her proven track record. "Ms
Tyler will start as Chief Executive on 2 August 2004. I
would like to thank Dr Russ Ballard for agreeing to continue
as Acting Chief Executive until this time. I would also
like to thank the management and staff of CYF for their
commitment to the department's change process. It is important
that this momentum is maintained," Mr Wintringham said.
APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OF THE DEPARTMENT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham today announced the appointment of Maarten Wevers as Chief Executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Mr Wintringham said that Mr Wevers is a successful senior diplomat and experienced manager. Until 2000 Mr Wevers was a career foreign service officer, specialising in economics and trade. He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1977 and progressed to postings in Brussels, Port Moresby as High Commissioner and Tokyo as Ambassador. He was a private secretary to the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1985 to 1987. He also led the planning and staging of the successful APEC meeting in 1999. Since 2000 Mr Wevers has been on leave from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, working in a number of senior managerial roles at New Zealand Post, and currently as General Manager, Government Business. He has a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) and Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Economics. He was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2000. "Mr Wevers has wide experience in foreign affairs, trade and economics and has excellent networks in both government and business sectors. He has a high level of expertise in policy management, is experienced at building relationships and has strong leadership skills. "He has a clear understanding of the role of the Chief Executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He is an experienced professional who has the necessary skills to lead and manage a key relationship between the Government and the Public Service. "Mr
Wevers will start as Chief Executive on 14 June 2004. I
have asked Mary Anne Thompson to continue as Acting Chief
Executive until then," Mr Wintringham said. 17
May "Egypt
exerts a significant and moderating influence throughout
the Middle East and beyond. It is a leader of the Arab world,
respected among Islamic countries and members of the Non-Aligned
Movement. TURIA RESIGNS - BY-ELECTION 10 JULY Te Tai Hauauru MP Tariana Turia has resigned from parliament. The former Minister (who resigned from the Labour Party last month) will stand as an independent or for a new Mäori Party in a by-election on July 10 - assuming that she is challenged. So far most of the main political parties have said they regard the bi-election as a waste of money and will not contest it, so it is possible Ms Turi will be elected unopposed. Nominations for candidates will close on June 15. TURIA'S SEAT IN PARLIAMENT NOW VACANT Tariana Turia has now officially resigned from Parliament, leaving vacant her Te Tai Hauauru seat. The former Labour MP has quit in protest at the Government's Seabed and Foreshore Bill. The Speaker, Jonathan Hunt, has received a letter of resignation from Mrs Turia, and will formally declare her seat vacant when Parliament sits tomorrow. Procedures will now be set in motion to arrange a by-election which must be held within nine weeks. However, there is a chance a by-election will not be held. If no one contests Mrs Turia for the seat, she will be declared elected, and return to Parliament. 5
May In announcing Ms Turia's dismissal from Cabinet the Prime Minister said a number of options were open to Mrs Turia which could have seen her continue in her work as a Minister, or spend a period on the backbench with a reasonable expectation of returning to ministerial duties. "She has chosen to take none of those options, making it inevitable that she would be dismissed." Steve
Maharey will be acting Minister for the Community and Voluntary
Sector. LABOUR, GREENS AND UNITED FUTURE WILL NOT STAND Labour, the Greens and United Future have all announced that they will not stand in the Te Tai Hauauru bi-election caused by Tariana Turia's resignation from Labour. "A by-election now is a waste of everybody's time and money and the Labour Party will not be participating in it, " said the Prime Minister when announcing Ms Turia had been sacked as a Minister. "We are a busy government with an important budget coming up in the next few weeks and do not intend to participate in a side-show. We will see Mrs Turia at the general election." United Future Leader Peter Dunne said his party would not stand in the bi-election which "would be an unnecessary and expensive piece of nonsense forced upon the country by the failure of Labour's leadership to sell its own legislation to its own supporters." The
Greens said they supported Ms Turia's stand on the seabed
and foreshore issue and would not stand, but called on the
Government to repeal the so-called "party-hopping"
legislation to avoid the cost of a bi-election. |
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15
June The Prime Minister has appointed acting ministers for Hon Steve Maharey's portfolios until late July. Mr Maharey is on bereavement leave following the death of his wife. The acting ministers for the portfolios are:
14
June 13
June The Caucus today elected Rodney Hide as leader of ACT New Zealand and Dr Muriel Newman as Deputy. 9
June The government has floated the idea of an Ombudsman to review decisions of local authorities under the Resource Management Act. Minister of Finance, Michael Cullen, said that although the quality of local authority practice on resource consents had steadily improved, the performance of some councils could still be better. One option, he suggested, would be to amend the Act to create an ombudsman who could examine decisions under the RMA, or some similar options for central government to address inadequate performance by a council. 30
June The role of the Ministry of Housing is to be expanded and it will be renamed the Department of Building and Housing. It will:
The new department is expected to be in place by November 2004, with the transfer of functions to be phased in over the next couple of years. "In particular, users of the Weathertight Homes Resolution Service should be assured that the service will be transferred intact to the re-configured department, and will continue to operate as a dedicated service," said acting Housing Minister Rick Barker. The department will work closely with Housing New Zealand Corporation, which will retain its current responsibilities including leadership of the development and implementation of the New Zealand Housing Strategy said the Minister. The cabinet paper outlining this decision is available on www.ssc.govt.nz
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21
July National Party President Judy Kirk has acknowledged the outstanding contribution to the National Party by Dr Lynda Scott, MP for Kaikoura. Lynda has been a member of the Party since 1994, and held Party positions up to being elected to Parliament in 1999 as the MP for Kaikoura. Judy Kirk said she understood and respected Lynda's decision. "Medicine has always been Lynda's first love and that is why she got involved with the Party," says Judy Kirk. Lynda has also offered to assist with National's party vote campaign for the next election. "It
has been a pleasure working with Lynda. I wish her well
for the future," says Mrs Kirk. 16
July Alliance Party president Jill Ovens has resigned. Neither Ms Ovens nor Alliance leader Matt McCarten will be commenting on the matter until after the Alliance Party council meeting over the weekend. However Mr McCarten says it is not linked in any way to the Alliance's recent involvement with the new Mäori Party. Mr McCarten, with Ms Ovens' endorsement, worked as the campaign manager for the Mäori Party in the recent Te Tai Hauauru by-election. Earlier
this week, Ms Ovens issued a media statement rubbishing
speculation that the Alliance was merging with the Mäori
Party, describing it as a politically motivated beat up. 14
July Roger Sowry announced yesterday that he will not seek re-election in 2005. Mr Sowry has been a member of the Party since 1977, and held many Party positions up to being elected to Parliament in 1990 as the MP for Kapiti. As Deputy Leader of the Party under Bill English, he was a member of the National Management Board and played an important role during the constitutional changes. In Government, he held the positions of Junior and Senior Whip, Minister of Social Services, Work and Income, Leader of the House, Minister of Social Welfare, Minister in charge of War Pensions, and Associate Minister of Health. He also had a key role in the negotiation of a coalition agreement with New Zealand First, following the 1996 election. 7
July Prime Minister Helen Clark today appointed Mahara Okeroa as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary, and announced new responsibilities for John Tamihere, Dover Samuels, Harry Duynhoven, and Mita Ririnui. The new appointments are:
Helen Clark said Mr Okeroa will assist Parekura Horomia, Trevor Mallard, and Chris Carter, taking over the conservation responsibilities of Mita Ririnui. Helen Clark said the creation of the Transport Safety portfolio is due to the importance that the government places on transport safety. "Mr Duynhoven has been working in the area of transport safety as an associate minister. The importance of improving safety and the significant overall level of activity in the transport sector has seen the need to create a second ministerial portfolio. Mr Duynhoven will continue to work closely with Mr Hodgson as the senior Minister with Transport responsibilities." Mr
Okeroa will be sworn in as a Parliamentary Under-Secretary
on Wednesday. The other changes will also be formalised
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The restructuring is part of a larger plan to create three national centres of science collaboration. Each centre will involve a 'critical mass' of scientists and science teams from different disciplines and a range of organisations over time. It is argued that the new structure will generate a substantial rise in the quality and range of scientific discovery in each centre's focus areas. The three centres will be:
MERGING OF VERIFICATION AND FOOD SAFETY AGENCIES MAF's Verification Agency has been merged with the Food Safety Authority (also a unit within MAF). The amalgamated agency is to be known as the New Zealand Food Safety Authority Verification Agency (NZFSAVA). MAF
says the two units need to be closely aligned as part of
providing coherent and seamless certification for exports
of animal products. RESTRUCTURE AT LABOUR Major changes in the structure and senior management at the Department of Labour, announced in March, have gone into effect. The department now has three operational groups - Workplace, Workforce, and Work Opportunities (chart), replacing the former New Zealand Immigration Service (NZIS), the Occupational Safety & Health Service (OSH), the Employment Relations Service (ERS), the Community Employment Group (CEG), and the Labour Market Policy Group (LMPG). The
senior management team is: TPK
NEW STRUCTURE IMPLEMENTED
The
Deputy Secretaries are: NEW
CORRESPONDENCE SCHOOL BOARD JUDICIAL APPOINTMENTS COMMISSION Attorney-General
Margaret Wilson has released a discussion paper on a proposal
to establish a judicial appointments commission, which would
make recommendations on the appointment of judges. Submissions
close Friday 30 July, 2004. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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31
August The
Chairman of Te Mängai Päho, Wira Gardiner, today
announced that the Board has appointed John Bishara as its
new chief executive. Mr Bishara, of Tuwharetoa descent,
is an experienced public sector manager whose previous roles
include managing regional operations for the Department
of Work and Income, and heading Te Puni Kökiri's regional
operations and funding portfolio.
25 August Prime Minister Helen Clark today announced that acting on her advice, the Governor-General had appointed Hon Rick Barker as Minister for the Community and Voluntary Sector. Mr Barker is also the Minister for Courts, Minister of Customs, Associate Minister of Justice, and Associate Minister for Social Development and Employment. 24
August The State Services Commissioner, Mark Prebble, today announced the appointment of Martyn Dunne as Chief Executive of the New Zealand Customs Service and Comptroller of Customs. Major General Dunne is presently the Commander Joint Forces New Zealand in the New Zealand Defence Force. Mark Prebble says Martyn has a very strong background in security and counter terrorism and is experienced in leading large numbers of staff. He has been involved in extensive inter-agency work, particularly amongst the border and enforcement agencies. "He has represented New Zealand overseas and has managed international relationships and negotiations. He has excellent general management, planning and resource management skills and a high level of personal integrity. "Martyn has a clear understanding of the role and the current and future priorities of the department, within an environment that places an increased focus on international security. He is an experienced professional who is committed to working within the strong culture of the New Zealand Customs Service. "Martyn
Dunne will start as Chief Executive on 20 September 2004.
I would like to thank John Secker for his work as Acting
Chief Executive of the department during the past few months.
John Secker took on this role in very sad circumstances
following the death of Robin Dare. I would also like to
thank the management and staff of New Zealand Customs for
their commitment to continuing the good work of the department
during that distressing time," Mark Prebble said. 17
August The State Services Commissioner, Mark Prebble, said it is with reluctance that he has accepted the resignation of the Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections, Mark Byers. Mr
Byers has chosen to retire early from his role. He will
finish in February 2005, having spent 39 years as a dedicated
public servant. 11
August Former National MP and Wellington lawyer Graeme Reeves is new party president for United Future. Mr Reeves, the sole nominee for the job, replaces former Wellington Mayor Mark Blumsky who resigned on Friday to pursue other career interests. 10
August National Party leader Don Brash has announced a portfolio reshuffle which he says points to the likely shape of a National Government Cabinet next year. "This next National Cabinet will be a blend of experience and new blood. Nine of our returning MPs have formerly held Cabinet positions and many of our newcomers have demonstrated they have the ability to hold significant portfolios. Dr Brash emphasised the promotions in his new line-up were based on merit and performance. Key among them is the promotion to the front bench of Law and Order spokesman Tony Ryall, who adds Immigration to his list of responsibilities. John Key takes over the Finance role, being promoted from Deputy Finance spokesman, and is elevated to the second bench ranked as number 10. National's policy formulation in the finance area will be further strengthened by Bill English, a former Finance Minister, who will take on the role of Associate Finance spokesman, as well as retaining Education. Judith Collins, has been promoted to the second bench. She will take over the Health portfolio from Lynda Scott, who is standing down at the election. Both Mr Key and Ms Collins are first-term MPs. Dr Brash also says he will be recommending to tomorrow's National Party caucus meeting that Simon Power take over from John Carter as senior whip. The caucus traditionally elects the whips. Mr
Carter will take over Mr Power's Defence role. | ||||||||||||||||||||||
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21
September |
