The New Zealand Economy
The New Zealand Institute makes three senior appointments
22 Feb 2009
The New Zealand Institute has made three senior appointments to its leadership team as it drives the development of the Institute’s 2009 work programme.
Former CEO of Meridian Energy, Dr Keith Turner, has been appointed as Chair of the Institute and will also act in the position of CEO until this position is filled.
Ms Benedikte Jensen has been appointed Director of Research. Benedikte joined the Institute from the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet where she was the Economic and Financial Advisor to the Prime Minister. Benedikte worked for the Treasury for eight years, most recently as Director of Tax Policy.
Mr Chris Simpson has been appointed the Institute’s Chief Operating Officer. Chris is the ex-General Manager of the National Party and former Head of the Property Council.
Dr David Skilling has been appointed as a Trustee of the New Zealand Institute.
The newly formed executive team is actively engaging with Institute members and encourages members to join the executive board. The Institute continues to make valuable strategic and tactical contributions to government in order to positively influence New Zealand’s economic and social development.
Director of Research, Ms Benedikte Jensen, says the Institute’s focus for the first six months of the year will be a direct response to the financial crisis and global recession.
“The programme will provide a platform for the New Zealand Institute to engage with the public and the new government over a policy agenda in response to the financial crisis.
“Through active involvement in the upcoming Jobs Summit and ongoing engagement with ministers and their advisors, we plan to ensure the best ideas and strategies are put forward to influence government policy”, said Ms Jensen.
The scope of engagement will cover both a short term action plan to address the immediate economic and social challenges arising from the global crisis, and a longer term policy agenda to ensure sound recovery for New Zealand.
She says the Institute has a number of thought pieces planned for release in the next few months on the policy response to the financial crisis, following last year’s paper ‘The End of the Golden Weather: the financial crisis, global recession and what this means for New Zealand’.
Ms Jensen says the programme for the remainder of 2009 will be finalised in March/April after engagement with the Institute’s members.
“We are looking at building on work initiated by Dr Skilling and reflecting opportunities created by the new government,” she says.
The programme will be structured on current issues and will have a strong focus on the future of New Zealand, including:
• Supporting a “national conversation”
• The New Zealand economy
• New Zealand society
• New Zealand’s global engagement
• Public sector governance.
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About the New Zealand Institute
The New Zealand Institute is a privately funded think-tank that is committed to generating new and creative debate, ideas, and solutions that contribute to building a better and more prosperous New Zealand for all New Zealanders.
http://www.nzinstitute.org
For further information or to arrange an interview with Ms Benedikte Jensen, please contact:
Kerry Gardner
Account Director
Ph: 632 0513
Mob: 021 280 0078
or
Andrea Brady
Executive Director
Ph: 632 0537
Mob: 021 891 665