Chief executive appointment - Ministry of Housing

The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, announced today the appointment of Katrina Bach as Chief Executive of the Ministry of Housing. Ms Bach is presently a Deputy Secretary at the Ministry of Economic Development with responsibility for corporate services.

Ms Bach has extensive experience within the Public Service having previously been the Director of Resources Policy, in the then Ministry of Commerce, with responsibility for advice to Ministers on natural resources, environment, and matters relating to local government. In 2000 she was seconded to the office of the Minister for Economic Development, Hon Jim Anderton, to assist the Government to establish the new portfolio of Economic Development. Last year she was appointed as acting Chief Executive and acting Secretary for Internal Affairs, a position she held for nine months.

Ms Bach has worked at Treasury, the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and in the Department of Trade and Industry. She has been a public servant for 19 years. She graduated from the University of Canterbury with a Masters degree in History and English Literature.

"Ms Bach brings to this position the skills and experience of a Public Service chief executive. She has demonstrated these as acting Chief Executive at the Department of Internal Affairs" Mr Wintringham said.

Ms Bach is expected to take up her appointment prior to Christmas.

Mr Wintringham thanked David Baguley who has been acting Chief Executive of the Ministry of Housing for the last year.

The Ministry's principal functions are to provide information, advice and a service to resolve disputes between tenants and landlords, and to administer residential tenancy bonds. The Ministry also provides administrative support to the State Housing Appeals Authority; and monitors the performance of Housing New Zealand Corporation, advising the Minister of Housing on the Corporation's performance.

The Ministry has a total budget of $14.5 million, and 140 staff in 23 locations throughout New Zealand.

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