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LEADERSHIP PROFILES

Public Service Commissioner - Past & Present

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Russell Thomas

(2012-2021)

Mr Russell Thomas served as the Public Service Commissioner from March 2012 to January 2021. He has had a long career in the Cook Islands public  ...

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Cecilia Short

(1996-2001)

Cecilia Short is from a generation of public servants that were ingrained with a purpose. As a country taking on its own livelihood, the Cook ...

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Navy Epati

(2006-2012)

The late Mr Navy Epati was appointed as the Public Service Commissioner from 2006-2012. His career in the Cook Islands public service since 1990 ....

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Richard Chapman

(1981-1989)

From 1963 to 1968 Richard Chapman worked with customs and occupied various senior positions in New Zealand.  In April 1968 he was appointed ...

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Joseph Caffery

(2005-2006)

Mr Joseph Caffery served as the Public Commissioner from 2005 to 2006. Prior to that appointment, Caffery was the Chief of ....

Former Heads of the Public Service

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Gail Townsend

Gail Townsend commenced in her role as the Secretary for Education on Monday 5th October 2015 and finished in 2017. Ms Townsend has been an Executive ...

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John Herrmann

John Herrmann trained as a teacher at Wellington Teachers Training College. Following teaching posts in New Zealand, Australia and back in the Cook ...

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Ngametua Pokino

Mr Ngametua Pokino served as the Secretary for Infrastructure Cook Islands from 2014 to 2017....

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Ngatokorua Mataio

Ngatokorua Mataio (Nga) first joined the Ministry of Agriculture as a trainee in the Ministry’s Planning Division in March 1977. After three years, ...

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Tamari’i Tutangata

Tamari’i Tutangata has had a long and distinguished career in the Cook Islands Public Service. At various times he has held the position of Chief of Staff ... 

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Tuingariki Short

Tuingariki Short (Tui), has held many different leadership roles within the Public Service. While he was trained as a teacher, Tui also worked in ...

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