Mediacom-Release-State-Services-Commission Chief Executive Of Te Puni Kokiri

The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, announced today that the chief executive of Te Puni Kokiri, Ngatata Love, would not be seeking reappointment when his term as chief executive ends on 18 December. Dr Love has been the chief executive of the department for five years.

Dr Love was formerly the Dean of the Faculty of Business Studies at Massey University. He was granted leave from the university to take up the position with Te Puni Kokiri in late 1995. Dr Love intends returning to academia.

Mr Wintringham said that earlier this year Dr Love had indicated that he would not seek reappointment as chief executive, but that, in the meantime, he wanted to provide stability as the department prepared for the policy agenda of the newly-elected Government.

Mr Wintringham said that, in his term as chief executive, Dr Love had strengthened the focus on Maori economic development. Dr Love had also improved the department's partnerships with key agencies, including the Department of Labour, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, New Zealand Police, and the Department of Conservation.

"Dr Love has been a subtle but effective advocate for Maori economic and social development," Mr Wintringham said. "His strong links with business and academia have been valuable to the department and to the Government.

"Over the last 18 months, Dr Love has led work on the relative social and economic disparities that are suffered by Maori. In turn, that work has laid the empirical and research b Mr Wintringham said he would begin advertising for a new chief executive for Te Puni Kokiri - which is an appointment under section 35 of the State Sector Act 1988 - next month.

"As with all departmental chief executive appointments by the State Services Commissioner, professional recruitment experts will also advise on potential candidates who might also be considered. In other words, advertising will be supplemented by search," Mr Wintringham said.

The Te Puni Kokiri chief executive post will be advertised in New Zealand only.

ENDS

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