AMNESTY INTERNATIONAL MEDIA RELEASE

28th November 2007

Amnesty International appoints new CEO Consolidation into one national office, in Auckland

Amnesty International in New Zealand is pleased to announce the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer, Patrick Holmes.

Patrick Holmes has been appointed to the position of Chief Executive Officer, replacing Executive Director Ced Simpson. Patrick started his new role, based in Auckland, on 8th November.

Patrick Holmes joins Amnesty International after 15 years working in the non-profit sector in the United Kingdom and New Zealand, in marketing, fundraising and operations management roles. He was previously the Head of Fundraising at the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind. Prior to entering the NGO sector, Patrick's earlier career was in banking and finance.

"I am honoured to have the opportunity of heading Amnesty International New Zealand and excited by the prospect of building on the excellent work of Ced Simpson", said Patrick Holmes. "Amnesty International New Zealand has seen some fast growth over the last 4 years, which has required a major review and some restructuring in order to ensure we keep maximising our ability to campaign against human rights violations", continued Patrick.

A significant outcome of the ongoing review is a consolidation of the two existing offices - Wellington and Auckland -into one national office in Auckland, to take place in December 2007.

The Wellington office will close on December 12 with staff relocating to the current 145 Nelson St office, Auckland, on Thursday, December 13.

Ced Simpson, Amnesty New Zealand's longest serving Executive Director steps down after a decade of achievement in the position. During Ced Simpson's direction, the organisation has grown in membership, activism, campaigning profile and international influence.

Ced Simpson said "While there are thrilling things that you do as an Executive Director of a campaigning organisation, one of the things you don't have time to do more of is the mission specific work that drives you…human rights advocacy, promotion and education." Which is why Mr Simpson will be focusing on the exciting 'Building Human Rights Communities in Schools' project for the next year, amongst other projects.

A formal office closing event and Wellington farewell to outgoing Executive Director Ced Simpson will take place during the evening of International Human Rights day, Monday December 10, 5.30pm at the existing office location at the 'Centre for Global Action' meeting rooms.

All correspondence should be directed to Amnesty International: PO Box 5300, Wellesley St, Auckland; Ph 0800 AMNESTY (266 378); Fax 09 303 4528; info@amnesty.org.nz

ENDS

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