Ministry’s new head

Wellington: Career public servant Debbie Power has been appointed chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development.

Currently the deputy state services commissioner, Ms Power will take up her new role in early February next year.

Current chief executive Brendan Boyle steps down at the end of this year.

Ms Power started her public service career in 1980 as a frontline case manager at the Department of Social Welfare.

As chief executive, she will head a department of about 6900 staff and oversee an annual budget of about

$25 billion.— NZME