Tuesday 17 October 2006

Appointment Of Chief Executive And Secretary Of Defence

The State Services Commissioner, Mark Prebble today announced the appointment of John McKinnon as the Chief Executive and Secretary of Defence, Ministry of Defence. Mr McKinnon is presently Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Mark Prebble says Mr McKinnon is an experienced senior leader, with a 32 year career in the Public Service.

He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1975 and has held a number of senior roles through his career, including Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations from 1992 to 1995, Director of the External Assessments Bureau in the Department of Prime Minister of Cabinet between 1995 and 2000 and Ambassador in Beijing from 2001 to 2004.

Mr McKinnon has extensive experience in foreign policy and security matters. He presently manages the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s political and security programme including responsibility for New Zealand’s relations with Asia and the Americas.

He is very experienced in advising Ministers and in developing policy advice on New Zealand’s international relations and on a wide range of foreign policy issues. He has had regular contact throughout his career with defence staff on security issues and peacekeeping deployments.

Mr McKinnon has a track record of achievement in leadership roles, has the proven ability to deal effectively with complex and challenging issues and has good relationships within New Zealand and internationally.

He will continue the work initiated by the previous Secretary of Defence, Graham Fortune, towards rebuilding the operational and corporate capabilities of the New Zealand Defence Force.

Mr McKinnon will take up his new role in December 2006.

ENDS