New LINZ Chief Executive Appointed
Resource information
The State Services Commissioner, Iain Rennie, today announced that Peter Mersi, has been appointed the new Chief Executive for Land Information New Zealand.
Mr Mersi, who is currently Deputy Commissioner at the Inland Revenue Department (IRD), has also served as both Acting Chief Executive of the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and at The Treasury.
Mr Rennie said that Peter Mersi would lead LINZ as it continued to make its contribution to rebuilding Christchurch and as the department engages with central and local government to realise the economic benefits from the use of government geospatial information.
“I consider that his experience at IRD, in managing the business transformation programme, will assist him to further improve the Department’s surveys and titles system technology and to deliver services that will benefit New Zealanders.”
“Mr Mersi has built and maintained effective working relationships with Ministers, chief executives and stakeholders during his career. This engagement and experience will be essential to Mr Mersi’s success in his new role,” Mr Rennie said.
The department is accountable for a total departmental appropriation of $114 million. In addition to providing information critical to rebuilding Christchurch, LINZ is responsible for administering over three million hectares of Crown land (including 1.6 million hectares of South Island High Country), and operating the Overseas Investment Office.
LINZ plays a pivotal role in the acquisition, management and disposal of Crown land and the management of databases for surveying (including hydrographic services), mapping, and property rights. LINZ continues to be a lead agency in the delivery of online business facing services and will lead the publication of high value government data.
Sue Gordon will continue as LINZ Acting Chief Executive until Mr Mersi begins his up to five-year appointment on 17 September this year.
ENDS
Media enquiries: Lisa-Marie Richan, Director, SSC Communications 021 244 1361
BIOGRAPHY OF PETER MERSI
Peter Mersi has held senior management positions in the public sector for the past ten years.
He joined Inland Revenue as Deputy Commissioner Business Transformation in March 2010 where he has had responsibility for developing and progressing Inland Revenue’s future business model. Peter recently re-joined Inland Revenue after six months as Acting Chief Executive of the Department of Internal Affairs.
Prior to this, Peter was a Treasury Deputy Secretary, where he was responsible for State Sector Performance. Peter has worked in the public sector for most of his career, except for a short period with the Bank of New Zealand.
His public sector experience includes positions with the Department of Labour, the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and a number of different roles during his fourteen years with The Treasury.
Peter has a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration degree in Economics from Victoria University, Wellington.