10 October 2013

Appointment of new Registrar of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests

Rt Hon David Carter, Speaker of the House, today announced that Sir Maarten Wevers KNZM has been appointed Registrar of Pecuniary and Other Specified Interests of Members of Parliament.

Sir Maarten takes over from senior public servant, Dame Margaret Bazley ONZ, DNZM, Hon DLit, who has decided to step down after seven years in the role.

Sir Maarten has had a long and distinguished career in the public service, and was knighted for services to the State in 2012. He was Chief Executive of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2004 to 2012. He was Regional Director of New Zealand Post International Limited and General Manager of Government Business for New Zealand Post. A former diplomat, he served as counsellor to the New Zealand Embassy in Brussels, High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, and Ambassador to Japan. He was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his contribution to the 1999 APEC summit hosted in New Zealand.

Recently, Sir Maarten led the ministerial inquiry into the Novopay pay system. He is currently Chairperson of the board of the Earthquake Commission.

Mr Carter thanked Dame Margaret for her excellent work in ensuring that the New Zealand Parliament has a robust system for the disclosure of members’ interests. He said that Sir Maarten is ideally placed to continue this important work.

The Registrar is responsible for compiling and maintaining the register, and advises members in connection with their obligations to make annual returns of pecuniary and other specified interests.

Sir Maarten takes up the position immediately.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Trial Over 'Anonymous' Donations: John Banks Resigns As Minister

ACT Leader John Banks today confirmed that he has stood down from his Ministerial positions following today’s decision at the Auckland District Court.

“Last week I indicated to the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff that I would offer my resignation should the matter relating to my 2010 Mayoral Electoral return be committed to trial,” Mr Banks said...

“I intend to continue in my role as ACT Leader and MP for Epsom, and ACT will continue to support National on matters of confidence and supply. More>>