MEDIA Release

17 November 2015

Director of new Canterbury Group announced

Michelle Mitchell has been appointed Director of the Canterbury Group within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC).

The Canterbury Group is the new business group being established as part of the wind down of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority, which is currently a departmental agency under DPMC.

The Chief Executive of DPMC, Andrew Kibblewhite has announced the appointment.

“Michelle Mitchell is currently a Deputy Chief Executive of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and her knowledge of the region and its recovery to date, along with the key relationships she has with the community will ensure the success of the role,” Mr Kibblewhite says.

“Ms Mitchell’s Canterbury Group is responsible for overseeing and monitoring the recovery, and providing advice to the Chief Executive and Leadership Team of DPMC, as well as its strategic partners and other central government agencies.

“The work will include policy advice on the regeneration of greater Christchurch, including the future uses of the Christchurch residential red zone, and supporting the establishment and on-going operation of new entities.

“These include Regenerate Christchurch and a Crown organisation to carry on the work of major projects within the central city and to manage and divest land owned by the Crown.”

It will also monitor and report on the overall progress of recovery; and administer part funding and/or joint governance of horizontal infrastructure repairs.

Mr Kibblewhite says, “Decisions on the structure for the Canterbury Group within DPMC will be finalised soon. It will be largely based in Christchurch with associated corporate functions based in both Christchurch and Wellington.

“It is expected that there will be around 70 staff in total including corporate support roles, who will provide advice on a range of policy, planning, legal and monitoring matters.

“The position of Director will be the Crown’s most senior Central Government official fully committed to Canterbury Regeneration, and will therefore be providing comprehensive, high level strategic advice and innovation.”

Ms Mitchell will finish at CERA this week and begin with the new Canterbury Group within DPMC on 23 November 2015.

“This signals another significant step in the Government’s on-going approach to the wider Canterbury recovery and I very much look forward to working with Michelle in her new capacity,” Mr Kibblewhite says.

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