The State Services Commissioner, Iain Rennie, today announced the appointment of Rowena Phair to the position of Chief Executive of the Ministry of Women's Affairs.

Ms Phair is currently the Manager, Tax Strategy at the Treasury.

"Ms Phair has held policy management roles for over a decade. She understands that the Ministry needs to ensure its policy advice and programmes meet the Government's expectations of enhancing the contribution women make to New Zealand's economic development," Iain Rennie said.

Prior to taking up her current role, Ms Phair was Acting Assistant Secretary/Deputy Secretary State Sector Performance Group at the Treasury where she was responsible for the establishment of a separate strategic unit to provide advice to Ministers on how to improve the contribution and performance of the State sector.

Ms Phair's other roles include Manager, Children and their Families, State Sector Performance Group at the Treasury and Policy Manager at the Ministry of Women's Affairs where she provided advice to the Minister on a range of issues relevant to women.

Ms Phair has a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Political Science and a Master of Arts in Economics from Auckland University.

Ms Phair takes up her appointment on 13 July 2010, for a five year term.

The current chief executive, Shenagh Gleisner, finishes her term on 18 June 2010. Pamela Cohen, Director of Nominations at the Ministry will be Acting Chief Executive between June and July 2010.

ENDS
Contact: Jason Ryan (04) 495 2850 or 027 244 7081