11 April 2006

Minister Announces Appointments to the New Zealand Fire Service Commission

Internal Affairs Minister Rick Barker has announced appointments to the New Zealand Fire Service Commission today.

The New Zealand Fire Service Commission is a Crown entity constituted under the Fire Service Act 1975 (the Act) to control the New Zealand Fire Service and is responsible to the Minister of Internal Affairs for the effective and efficient delivery of its functions under the Act.

The Commission is responsible for an annual expenditure budget of over $250 million. The Commission is also the National Rural Fire Authority for the purpose of the Forest and Rural Fires Act 1977.

Dame Margaret Bazley, of Wellington, has been reappointed as Chairperson to the Commission for a term of three years.

Dame Margaret is well known for her senior management and leadership roles in the public sector. She is the Commissioner of Inquiry into Police Conduct, a member of the Waitangi Tribunal, and Chair of the Foundation for Research, Science, and Technology. Dame Margaret was a member of committees to recommend members for the Charities Commission, Families Commission, and the Commissioner for Children.

Terence Scott, of Oxford, North Canterbury, has been reappointed as Deputy Chairperson to the Commission for a term of three years.

Mr Scott has 34 years of Fire Service experience including extensive administration experience in departmental budgeting, control, and monitoring. He is a former Dunedin City Councillor, Senior Operational Fire Officer, and Delegate to the United Nations International Labour Organisation Conference in Geneva in 1992 and 1993. Mr Scott is a life member of the New Zealand Firefighters Union.

John Hercus, of Christchurch, has been reappointed as a member to the Commission for a term of three years.

John Hercus has been a leading figure in polytechnic, technology and science education and has made a major contribution to the development of vocational and continuing tertiary education in New Zealand. Mr Hercus is a consultant, expert, and advisor to various international agencies including the United Nations Development Programme, United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, and the Asian Development Bank. He is a Director of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research and the Metrological Service of New Zealand.

The three reappointed members join Piers Reid and Angela Foulkes on the Commission.

ENDS

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