30 August 2002 Media Statement
New Race Relations Commissioner appointed
Wellingtonian Joris de Bres has been appointed Race Relations Commissioner, Associate Justice Minister Margaret Wilson
announced today.
He replaces Gregory Fortuin who withdrew his name from consideration for re-appointment in early April.
Mr de Bres has held the position of General Manager, External Relations for the Department of Conservation since 1997
but is currently on secondment to the chief executive’s office of the Department of Child Youth and Family Services.
He has held a number of other senior management roles including Acting Chief Executive of the New Zealand Historic
Places Trust, Manager Public Awareness for the Department of Conservation, Assistant General Secretary (Industrial) with
the New Zealand Public Service Association, and PSA Regional Secretary for Auckland and Northland.
Fifty-five-year-old Mr de Bres is also a former Secretary/Organiser for Citizens’ Association for Racial Equality and
has worked with diverse groups and migrants.
“Mr de Bres has had a close involvement in issues relating to Maori, the Treaty of Waitangi and racial equality. This
has given him a very sound grasp of the key race relations issues,” Margaret Wilson said.
“His experience as a member of a Dutch immigrant family has also fitted him well for the job which raises issues
emerging from New Zealand’s increasingly multi-cultural society.”
Opposition parties were informed of Mr de Bres’ appointment this week, Margaret Wilson said.
ENDS