Media Release

12 November 2009

The Chief Executive of the Department of Labour, Christopher Blake, has announced an appointment to the new role of Deputy Chief Executive for Immigration.

Nigel Bickle, currently Deputy Chief Executive, Sector Capability with the Department of Building and Housing, will take up the new role early next year.

The Deputy Chief Executive for Immigration role is a new position, reporting to the Chief Executive of the Department of Labour, which signals a shift in expectations for the role and reflects the focus on building a world class immigration service.

“It is a key position of leadership not only for Immigration New Zealand, but for the whole of the Department of Labour,” Christopher Blake says.

He says Immigration New Zealand has been through some difficult times and has faced considerable public scrutiny and comment and three major reviews over the past year. “As Immigration New Zealand continues to improve its service delivery, it will require strong leadership. This appointment provides that leadership, along with certainty and stability.”

Christopher Blake says Nigel Bickle is an experienced senior public service leader with an extensive background in change management, service delivery and policy, specifically within complex organisations undertaking change. “He has a proven ability to manage integration and change and to develop and lead high performing teams.”

As with all such senior roles, this appointment was managed through a rigorous process similar to the appointment process for a Public Service Chief Executive. “The position was advertised nationally and internationally to capture the best possible candidates and it attracted a number of high calibre candidates,” Christopher Blake says.

“I would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Andrew Annakin for acting in the role of Deputy Secretary for Immigration. He has led Immigration New Zealand through some difficult times and has laid foundations for the future.”

Andrew Annakin will continue in that role until mid-December, when he will resume his substantive role as Deputy Secretary for Workplace. A short-term Acting Deputy Secretary for Immigration will then be appointed until Nigel Bickle starts.

ENDS