Te Kawa Mataaho has appointed a new Secretary for Pacific Peoples and Chief Executive, Ministry for Pacific Peoples.
Te Kawa Mataaho | The Public Service Commission has today announced that Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone has been appointed as the new Secretary for Pacific Peoples and Chief Executive, Ministry for Pacific Peoples. Gerardine will take up the position on 1 February 2023 for a five-year appointment.
Gerardine is currently Director Pacific Health at Manatū Hauora | the Ministry of Health, a role she has held since 2020. She was previously General Manager, Child Youth, Localities and Family Harm at the Capital and Coast District Health Board.
Of Samoan descent, Gerardine holds an MBA from Massey University, a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University and is both a Winston Churchill Fellow and Salzberg Global Seminar Fellow.
Acting Secretary for Pacific Peoples and Acting Chief Executive, Ministry for Pacific Peoples, Tuaopepe Abba Fidow, says that Gerardine’s extensive leadership experience, both within the public service sector and working directly with Pacific Aotearoa communities, will stand her in good stead for the role.
"The Ministry is going to benefit greatly from Gerardine's depth of experience, collaborative leadership style and commitment to empowering Pacific Aotearoa communities to realise their personal and professional aspirations.
"Gerardine will be well placed to lead and support our ongoing work to achieve our Lalanga Fou strategic goals for and with our Pacific peoples," says Tuaopepe.