CERA Acting Chief Executive Arrangements Extended

State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie has today confirmed that Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority (CERA) Acting Chief Executive John Ombler will continue in the role until the end of 2015.

Mr Ombler has been Acting Chief Executive since December 2014. Mr Ombler continuing in the role will provide CERA with consistent and stable leadership as it moves through a period of transition.

On 1 February 2015 CERA moved from being a stand-alone Public Service department to become New Zealand’s first Departmental Agency within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC).

A plan is currently being developed to transfer responsibilities and powers from CERA to local government, other government agencies or other delivery vehicles.

The transition plan is being supported by an Advisory Board of local stakeholders chaired by Dame Jenny Shipley. Following consultation on draft proposals in the coming months, a final plan is likely to be provided to Cabinet by August 2015.

“Once the plan is finalised we will be able to move to the organisational arrangements that will support the next phase of the recovery, and start the process of migrating CERA’s functions to other agencies across central and local government,” Mr Rennie said.

“Mr Ombler will continue to play an important role in the recovery work and ensuring the smooth transition of CERA’s functions.”

“This will help to provide clarity and certainty for CERA’s staff and stakeholders.”

“Ensuring there is effective and stable leadership of CERA during this time of change is important and I am very pleased that Mr Ombler has agreed to remain in the role,” Mr Rennie said.

Mr Ombler was the establishment Chief Executive of CERA. He is a former Deputy State Services Commissioner and has also been a senior manager in the Department of Conservation.

ENDS

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