Chief executive, Ministry of Economic Development

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MEDIA STATEMENT FROM THE STATE SERVICES COMMISSIONER

Chief executive, Ministry of Economic Development

The State Services Commissioner, Michael Wintringham, announced today that the chief executive of the Ministry of Economic Development, Paul Carpinter, will stand down from the post in February. Mr Carpinter has been chief executive of the Ministry of Economic Development - which was formerly the Ministry of Commerce - for four years.

Mr Wintringham said Mr Carpinter had indicated to him, about 18 months ago, that he would like to seek new, professional challenges. In preparation for that change, Mr Carpinter moved his family to Christchurch.

"However, regardless of the professional and personal considerations that he faced, Mr Carpinter chose to stay at the Ministry to manage the department through some critical pieces of work, and the transition to a new role as the Ministry of Economic Development.

"I am keen to ensure that Mr Carpinter's talents are not lost to the public sector, and I am confident that a role for him will emerge in the next few months," Mr Wintringham said.

In a 28-year Public Service career, Mr Carpinter - who has degrees in mathematics and economics from the University of Canterbury - has worked in the three central agencies of the Public Service: the Treasury, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and the State Services Commission. He was appointed chief executive of the Ministry of Commerce in 1996.

Mr Wintringham said: "As head of the Ministry, Mr Carpinter has built a personal reputation as an outstanding thinker on public policy.

"He has the respect of Ministers, and of people in business and the community who work alongside the Ministry.

"In the last two or three years, Mr Carpinter has addressed some of the most difficult and complex policy problems, and he has done so with consummate skill and poise. He is one of the most dedicated and committed public officials in New Zealand.

"At the same time, he has carefully managed a department that is subject to immense and constant pressure in the range and number of areas where it is providing policy advice and services.

"This year Mr Carpinter has managed the transition of the department, from the Ministry of Commerce to the Ministry of Economic Development, and successfully laid the groundwork for the focus of the Ministry under the new Government."

Mr Wintringham said advertising for a replacement for Mr Carpinter would begin in October. The chief executive of the Ministry of Economic Development is an appointment by the State Services Commissioner under section 35 of the State Sector Act 1988.

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