Barnardos, Aotearoa’s national children’s charity working with thousands of children around New Zealand every year has
today named Mike Munnelly as its new Chief Executive.
The Barnardos Board announced the appointment to staff around the country today, and Mr Munnelly takes up the role from
20 May 2019.
James Te Puni, Barnardos Board Chair, says that the Board is looking forward to seeing Mr Munnelly, who has been Acting
Chief Executive since February 2019, take up the permanent appointment. “The Barnardos Board is very pleased to see Mike
take on this important national leadership role for children, young people and their whānau. Mike is a talented
strategic and operational executive leader. He is well-respected by Barnardos’ staff for his excellent contribution to
Barnardos, and is held in high regard across the wider social sector. We are confident that Mike will lead Barnardos
with courage and commitment as we continue working towards our vision of ‘An Aotearoa New Zealand where every child
shines bright’”, says Mr Te Puni.
Speaking about Barnardos’ new Chief Executive, Mr Te Puni says that “Mike has a track record of delivering positive
outcomes for children and their whānau, including Māori. He has strong relationships with the partners, stakeholders and
supporters that Barnardos works with every day. Having begun his career on the ground as a social worker, Mike is a
leader well-placed to continue growing our relationships and to lead Barnardos’ operations and strategy, focused towards
doing more for children and families throughout the country.”
Mr Te Puni says “it is Mike’s combination of deep technical skills, diverse experience, his long-standing demonstrated
commitment to the work of Barnardos, and his passion for seeing better outcomes for Aotearoa’s children that makes him a
natural choice to lead Barnardos as our new Chief Executive.”
Mike Munnelly is a social worker by profession, having begun his career in the United Kingdom. Since relocating to New
Zealand in 1996, Mr Munnelly has held a range of government, non-government and tertiary education sector roles. He held
senior operational and management roles with Oranga Tamariki (then Child, Youth and Family), the Department of Labour
and taught social work at Manukau Institute of Technology. Mr Munnelly joined Barnardos in 2011 as General Manager Child
and Family Services. Since that time, he has led Barnardos’ provision of professional, effective and trusted
community-based social services.
As he moves to take up the role of Chief Executive, Mr Munnelly says that he is excited about the opportunities ahead of
Barnardos to continue supporting real and lasting change in the lives of children, young people and their families and
whānau. “I am passionate about the work that Barnardos does in homes, schools, and communities every day, all around
Aotearoa. Our unique combination of direct service delivery across Barnardos Early Learning and Barnardos Child and
Family Services, together with our systemic Advocacy for children’s rights and wellbeing, means Barnardos contributes to
Aotearoa being a place where every child’s potential is recognised. We are committed to all children having
opportunities and the right support to develop and flourish. We are fortunate to work with a range of partners and
supporters who share our vision, and I look forward to building on those relationships as I lead Barnardos”, Mr Munnelly
says.
Speaking about Barnardos’ staff, Mr Munnelly says that “I marvel at the daily efforts of Barnardos’ dedicated and
professional staff who make sure we are an effective organisation, delivering on our vision of ‘An Aotearoa Where Every
Child Shines Bright’. At a time when too many children in our country are facing entrenched, significant problems such
as abuse, family violence, homelessness, inequality, poverty and mental health challenges, I am looking forward to
leading Barnardos as Chief Executive, and to our organisation continuing to make a positive difference in the lives of
children and their families and whānau.”
ENDS