MPI initiative to boost industry partnership a success

26 August 2013

MPI initiative to boost industry partnership a success

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) has welcomed two new secondees from industry to its policy branch, after an initial secondment into the standards branch has proven to be a success.

Alistair Mowat from Zespri International Limited and Mark Ward from the Riddit Institute bring industry expertise to the policy group’s strategic team which focuses on long-term decision making and future work programmes. This follows on from an initial secondment in March.

“Having worked with a range of primary sectors at different levels of development enables me to add a unique set of strategic and innovative skills to the team,” says Mr Mowat who is working on the Export Double programme.

Principal Advisor Mark Ward will lead the value chain mapping project and the seafood component of the team’s Export Double work.

Policy Branch Strategy Manager Dr Sharon Adamson says there will be continuous rounds of secondments into the strategy team.

“Part of our motivation is to deepen the partnership between MPI and the primary industries. Secondees will not only learn about how government processes work, but also take work programmes back to the industry to use,” says Dr Adamson.

Secondees are put through a rigorous recruitment process. The new round of secondees will work at MPI for the next year. It is expected the next round of secondment selections for the policy branch will occur from February 2014, and start 1 July 2014.

Any interest in the secondment programme should be directed to: Sharon.adamson@mpi.govt.nz

ENDS

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