New MNZ Chief Executive and Director takes helm

Ensuring Maritime New Zealand (MNZ) maintains an effective response to the Rena grounding and completing two important reviews of the maritime sector are among the key priorities for the organisation's new Chief Executive and Director.

Keith Manch, former Chief Executive and Registrar of the Real Estate Agents Authority, took over the role as Director of MNZ on 5 December, following the end of Catherine Taylor’s five year tenure with the organisation.

"Ever since being appointed to the role, I’ve been looking forward to starting work at MNZ. As an organisation, it has an incredibly diverse, interesting and important role to play – a role that couldn’t be more important given recent events off the coast of Tauranga," Mr Manch says.

"I’ve been fortunate to have been involved in some of the work that has gone on in the background regarding the Rena response, and have been impressed by the dedication, professionalism and passion with which MNZ, the local community and other agencies have responded to this crisis. It’s an incredibly interesting time to be joining MNZ and I’m excited by the opportunity to both lead and learn more about the organisation as it moves forward."

Mr Manch says other priorities will include completing two significant overhauls of the maritime sector – the Qualifications and Operational Limits (QOL) and Maritime Operator Safety System (MOSS) reviews.

"Both of these important projects are about making sure that New Zealand has modern, effective and robust frameworks for seafarer qualifications and for ensuring the safety of domestic commercial vessels, which underpin the maritime transport system."

Mr Manch, who brings over 20 years' public sector experience to the role, including considerable experience in regulation and compliance, says he will also continue working to build on positive relationships with industry and other important stakeholders.

"MNZ will be continuing to look at ways that we can improve and streamline the services we provide to industry and others. There is a huge amount of technical knowledge, skill and expertise within the MNZ team – and I’m looking forward to working alongside them to continue to lead and support the maritime industry.

"I’m also very much looking forward to getting out and meeting and talking with people from different parts of the sector and other key contacts over the coming weeks and months. I’d also like to take the opportunity to acknowledge and thank my predecessor, Catherine Taylor. My goal is to continue to build on the work she has started to ensure that MNZ remains a modern, effective and responsive regulator."