MONDAY 19 OCTOBER 2009

MEDIA RELEASE

Dr Mike Field, Co-Chair of The New Zealand Family and Foster Care Federation Board announced the appointment of Iris Clanachan as the new Chief Executive at the official opened the Federations National Office in Lower Hutt this morning. Ms Clanachan attended the event which was opened by Paula Bennett, Minister of Social Development. Dr Field says “Iris brings extensive experience, significant skills and impressive achievements to the role and to the Federation.” Ms Clanachan was the Executive Director of Site Safe New Zealand for the past decade and while there, led that organisation through a period of remarkable growth and expansion.

Dr Field went on to say “The Board is delighted to have Ms Clanachan take the role and we look forward to working with her.” He also said “This is an auspicious day for the Federation. We have brought our National Office from the Hawkes Bay to be closer to Government and the national offices of many of the other agencies involved in family and foster care in New Zealand. So to be able to both open our National Office and announce the appointment of our Chief Executive feels very significant indeed.”

When asked Ms Clanachan said “I am very pleased to have this opportunity to work with the Board and Staff of the Federation and along side the other stakeholders in family and foster care to support family and foster carers across the country. I am looking forward to increasing the support and advocacy we offer to family and foster carers in Aotearoa, New Zealand.” “My first task will be to get out there and met family and foster carers and Foster Care Associations and hear from them what it is they most need from the Federation and then work with the Board to make that happen!”

Dr Field finished by saying “The Board is very grateful to the support and patience of family and foster carers while we moved the National Office to the Wellington Region and searched for a new Chief Executive. We are also thankful to Tony Saxon who has been the Interim Chief Executive over the past 7 months. Mr Saxon will stay with the Federation until the end of the year and assist Ms Clanachan as she takes up her new role.” Iris Clanachan will start on Monday the 2nd of November which is the beginning of Foster Care Awareness Week.

ENDS

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