New Chief Executive for Education New Zealand
The Chair and Board of Education New Zealand are delighted to announce the appointment of Grant McPherson as the Chief
Executive of the Government agency.
Education New Zealand was created on 1 September 2011 to support the Government’s ambitious goals to grow earnings from
international students and education services exports. The agency is also responsible for New Zealand’s education
diplomacy programme.
“Grant McPherson brings a mix of senior private sector and public sector experience to what is an extremely challenging
position. He will be required to lead his team to develop and implement a series of strategies to deliver on the
Government’s ambitious expectations of Education New Zealand,” says Charles Finny, Board Chair.
“Grant’s offshore experience, including as NZTE’s Regional Director for South and South East Asia, and his time as
Deputy CE of NZTE, are particularly relevant to his new role.
“It is essential that Education New Zealand work closely with the international education sector and those Government
entities focused in the international space. Relations with MFAT, NZTE, Immigration New Zealand and the Ministry of
Education will be critical. Grant has a proven track record of working closely with other parts of the Government.”
Grant McPherson will begin his new role in January.
“The Board would like to thank Lester Wolfreys who has been employed as interim CE since 1 September. Lester and the
staff at Education New Zealand have made an excellent start on building a new agency that can deliver on the
Government’s international education goals.”
Lester Wolfreys will continue his role at Education New Zealand until Grant McPherson starts with the agency.
For more information on Education New Zealand, go to www.educationnz.govt.nz.
ENDS