A leading advocate for Pacific education and training has been named as the new chief executive of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs.
Pauline Winter's appointment was announced by State Services Commissioner Iain Rennie on Tuesday.
Ms Winter is of Samoan descent and will head a ministry with an annual budget of about $9 million and a staff of 42 in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Mr Rennie says her background will be of particular value for the ministry's role of informing and evaluating how government agencies help Pacific people in education, skills and employment.
Ms Winter is the director of Pasifika advancement at the Auckland University of Technology, chairs the Teachers Council Review Panel and is on the boards of the Tertiary Education Commission and the Qualifications Authority.
She will take over from chief executive Colin Tukuitonga in October this year.
