Hon Simon Power

Minister of Commerce

3 December 2010
Media Statement

Vice-chairman reappointed to JAS-ANZ board

Commerce Minister Simon Power today announced the reappointment of Mike Willing as a member and vice-chair of the governing board of the Joint Accreditation System of Australia and New Zealand (JAS-ANZ).

JAS-ANZ is responsible for overseeing a joint accreditation system that ensures safety and quality, and underpins environmental management schemes. As a trans-Tasman organisation, JAS-ANZ strengthens trade between New Zealand, Australia and other countries.

“I’m pleased Mr Willing has agreed to another term. He brings strong governance skills, as well as a good understanding of the role of standards and conformance in domestic and international trade,” Mr Power said.

Mr Willing’s three-year term begins on 1 January.

Background

Mike Willing is currently involved in the tertiary sector as a director of New Era IT Limited, a provider of ICT infrastructure services to the New Zealand education sector, and is a director of International Operations at New Era Pathways, a provider of education strategic planning, implementation, and advisory services. He has been on the JAS-ANZ governing board since 2004 in both chair and vice-chair roles.

JAS-ANZ was established under a 1991 treaty between Australia and New Zealand. An updated 1998 treaty sets out the organisational structure through which this trans-Tasman accreditation body accredits certification bodies and inspection bodies. JAS-ANZ is active in New Zealand in the fields of quality management systems, environmental management systems, building, agriculture, and biosecurity. It is in Canberra and it has an office in Wellington. The governing board has a mix of New Zealand and Australian members. Six members (including one Government representative) are appointed by the Australian Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. Three members (including one Government representative) are appointed by the New Zealand Minister of Commerce. The 10th member is the Chief Executive of JAS-ANZ.

Further information on JAS-ANZ can be found at: http://www.jas-anz.org

ENDS

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