The Ministry for Pacific Peoples (MPP) has welcomed Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone on-board its vaka as the new Secretary for Pacific Peoples and Chief Executive.
A pan-Pacific gathering was held on Wednesday (February 1) to officially acknowledge Gerardine in the role she accepted following the departure of Laulu Mac Leauanae late last year.
Reflecting on the role, Gerardine says she aspires for MPP to continue to thrive and flourish under her leadership.
“I want to cement a great culture which grows and develops a diverse, resourceful and ambitious workforce, valued across the public sector,” Gerardine says.
Not only does Gerardine envisage MPP as an incubator for such great workforce talent, but to remain as the point of contact for those seeking Pacific knowledge and expertise, and links within the policy, business, academia and creative Pacific spaces.
Gerardine has set the goal for MPP to become leaders in intersectoral collaboration, to work together to improve equity outcomes while contributing to the All-of-Government Strategy, valuing and harnessing and accessing the expertise existing within Pacific Aotearoa.
The new Secretary for Pacific Peoples has joined MPP following three years as Director, Pacific Health at Manatū Hauora - Ministry of Health (MoH).
She previously held the role of General Manager, Child Youth, Localities and Family Harm at the Capital and Coast District Health Board.
Between 2015 and 2018, Gerardine was a self-employed consultant, including senior consultant for Pacific Perspectives Limited.
Gerardine held the role of National Programme Manager, Sector Capability and Improvement at MoH between 2010 and 2012 and was Chief Executive of Taeaomanino Trust for nine years between 2001 and 2010.
She has also held several community governance roles, including Chair of the Wellington Community Trust, and was Chief Executive of a Pacific social service and health provider based in Porirua.
Of Samoan descent, Gerardine holds an MBA from Massey University and a Bachelor of Arts from Victoria University and is both a Winston Churchill Fellow and Salzberg Global Seminar Fellow.