New HOMs announced Fri 21 Jun Myra Patai has been appointed to head the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration after working at the ministry for almost 20 years. Her appointment was announced by Public Service Commissioner Russell Thomas yesterday along with the announcement of three other head of ministry (HOM) contracts. The report with recommendations on the best candidates to fill the four senior public service vacancies was tabled with cabinet last week says Thomas. Cabinet approved the selection panel’s first choice in every case. Patai steps into Jim Gosselin’s shoes who had been secretary since 2010. He withdrew from selection after accepting a United Nations Development Programme-funded post in Tuvalu. He has been acting secretary for some time, and formally stepped down last week. Patai has been acting secretary since June 14 and previously held the position of Foreign Affairs United Nations and Treaties division director. Former chief of staff of the Office of the Prime Minister, Mac Mokoroa, received cabinet’s endorsement as secretary of infrastructure and planning. Mokoroa has been acting secretary since the suspension and sacking of former secretary Donye Numa late last year. Daphne Ringi will take over from Priscilla Maruariki as chief executive officer at the Office of the Public Service Commissioner. Maruariki is leaving the Cook Islands to pursue professional and personal interests overseas says Russell. Russell says Ringi is vastly experienced, including; working at the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management, audit office and the Ministry of Health. He says he is sure Ringi will continue the good work at the Office of the Public Service Commissioner that Maruariki had brought to the job since 2009. Ben Ponia who has been the secretary of marine resources since 2010, has been endorsed to continue for a second term. Under the Public Service Act 2009, the Public Service Commissioner is responsible for the appointment of heads of public service departments, including chairing the selection panel. He says he was grateful to the members of the selection panel for their hard work in carefully considering what each shortlisted candidate had to offer against the requirements of the positions advertised. “We used a rigorous selection process and clearly identified our top candidates – people who have the capability to take on the challenges and responsibilities of lifting departments to the next level,” Russell says. Members of the selection panel included: Navy Epati, the minister appointed responsible for the public service PM Henry Puna, Nga Mataio, appointed by the Public Service Workers Association, as well as cabinet representatives as an additional member for each vacant position. They were: Tevai Matapo for the office of the public service commissioner, Tina Browne, marine resources, Mata Nooroa for foreign affairs and immigration and Ngatama Aniterea for infrastructure and planning.
Posted on: Mon, 01 Jul 2013 04:20:38 +0000
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