Appointment Of Chief Executive For Ministry Of Pacific Island Affairs

The State Services Commissioner, Mark Prebble, today announced that Dr Colin Fonotau Tukuitonga has been appointed to the position of Chief Executive, Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs. His current role is Associate Professor of Public Health at Auckland University, a position he has held since July 2006.

Dr Tukuitonga is a registered medical practitioner and public health physician who is highly regarded in the Pacific community and has proven leadership and management experience in the health and education sectors.

Dr Tukuitonga's career in health started in Niue where he was a national Medical Officer between 1982 and 1986. He was later employed by the Fiji School of Medicine, the Auckland Area Health Board Board and Northern Regional Health Authority. In 2001 he became the Director of Public Health and Medical Officer of Health for New Zealand where he managed the New Zealand response to the SARS threat and worked extensively with a wide range of public and private sector institutions.

In 2003 Dr Tukuitonga became the Head of Surveillance and Prevention of Chronic Diseases at the World Health Organisation. It was during his tenure there that the World Health Assembly adopted the World Health Organisation Global Strategy on Diet and Physical Activity and Health.

Dr Tukuitonga has also held positions in the educational arena including terms at the Universities of Fiji and Auckland. He has been a leader and contributor in numerous organisations promoting the interests of Pacific peoples including the Pacific Cooperation Foundation and Pacific Heartbeat and various Pacific health providers.

Mark Prebble says, with the appointment of the new chief executive, the role of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs has recently been refocused.

"The Ministry's role is to be an effective bridge between government and Pacific peoples. The Ministry will also have a role in ensuring other agency chief executives take into account the implications for Pacific peoples when formulating policy advice and operational interventions.

"Dr Tukuitonga understands the Pacific community and will bring extensive Pacific networks to the leadership role of the Ministry.

"He has the necessary strategic leadership and management experience required for this position. He has a strong vision about Pacific peoples in New Zealand becoming active participants in all aspects of New Zealand society. He is a strong and capable manager who will be able to lead the change required to reposition the Ministry within the Public Service.

"Dr Tukuitonga will take up the new role, following the retirement of the current chief executive, Fuimaono Leslie McCarthy," Mark Prebble said.

ENDS

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