SSC Media Release
Acting Chief Executive New Zealand Food Safety Authority
7 June 2007

The State Services Commissioner, Mark Prebble, today announced that Andrew McKenzie has agreed to act as Chief Executive of the new public service department, the New Zealand Food Safety Authority.

Andrew has worked in the New Zealand food industry since graduating as a veterinarian in 1971, initially with the meat industry but widened to incorporate all primary production and trade in animal and plant products over the course of his career. Over the last five years Andrew has lead the New Zealand Food Safety Authority which has expanded his experience to cover food for sale on the domestic market.

Andrew has a continuing interest in contemporary regulatory approaches to food safety and trade, particularly around standard setting for both exports and domestic use, and the subsequent verification to ascertain industry compliance with standards. Ensuring all stakeholders contribute fully to the standard setting processes as a means of facilitating compliance has been a particular feature of his approach.

The State Services Commission has the recruitment process for a permanent chief executive appointment underway.

ENDS

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