Media statement from the State Services Commissioner

Reappointment of the Secretary for Internal Affairs

The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, announced today that the Secretary for Internal Affairs, Roger Blakeley, had been reappointed to the position.

Mr Wintringham said that Dr Blakeley's reappointment was through to October 2000.

"Dr Blakeley has served five years at Internal Affairs. In June 1999 he told me that he would not be seeking reappointment when his contract ended, which is in April. Dr Blakeley has now agreed to a further six months - to October 2000 - to assist the Government and me in the transition to a new Secretary for Internal Affairs.

"I recognise that Dr Blakeley has agreed to the further term when he had planned to move on. I am grateful to him for agreeing to the extra period."

Mr Wintringham said that Dr Blakeley has been in the Public Service for 36 years, including eight years as the head of the Ministry for the Environment, and two years as general manager of State Coal Mines. He will leave Internal Affairs on 17 October 2000. Before then, the process for appointing a new chief executive would begin.

Dr Blakeley, who has a Ph.D in engineering from the University of Canterbury and a Masters in management from Stanford University, intends to continue working in the public sector after he leaves Internal Affairs in October.

Ends

Further information: Owen Gill, State Services Commission, ph 495 6609.

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