Appointment of Deputy Director-General, MAF policy

The Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Murray Sherwin announced the appointment of Paul Stocks as Deputy Director-General, MAF Policy earlier today.

Mr Stocks is currently MAF’s Deputy Director-General, Strategy and Performance Group. He has been with the ministry since 2004.

“Paul Stocks has 17 years experience in the New Zealand public service. During this time he has established an enviable track record particularly in the areas of strategy development and organisational performance. His policy work has been wide-ranging and has included social policy issues, regulatory and investment policy, Crown ownership issues, and tax policy,” says Murray Sherwin.

Mr Stocks’ previous employment includes time with the New Zealand Planning Council, the Ministry of Health and the Treasury. During his time with the Treasury, Mr Stocks served for more than two years as Senior Private Secretary/Advisor in the Office of the Minster of Finance and Revenue.

“Paul Stocks’ knowledge of MAF, the sustainability sector and his broad public service experience will be vital to lead MAF Policy’s increasingly varied and complex programme of work,” Murray Sherwin says.

“MAF and its policy group are working with the sector to address some of the biggest issues facing New Zealand today. These include economic transformation, primary sector development, international trade and market access, water quality and allocation, climate change and sustainable land management,” Murray Sherwin says.

“Success in these areas will not be achieved without a grounded and connected approach to our work with stakeholders. I will be looking to Paul Stocks and his policy group to maintain and develop these relationships further,” he says.

Mr Stocks takes up his appointment on 1 September 2008.