New NZQA head appointed

A new chairwoman has been appointed to the NZQA board.

Sue Suckling, who has experience in governance in the private and public sector, would take on the role with the New Zealand Qualifications Authority, Education Minister Steve Maharey announced yesterday.

The previous chairman, Graeme Fraser, resigned in May after two damning reports into the organisation's handling of the 2004 school scholarship exams. Chief executive Karen Van Rooyen also left then.

Mr Maharey said Ms Suckling would work to rebuild confidence in the national assessment system.

Ms Suckling is currently chairwoman of the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research, AgriQuality, Barkers Fruit Processors, the Oxford Clinic in Christchurch and the Carson Group and she is a member of the Takeovers Panel.

Acting chairwoman Catherine Gibson will continue in the role until March when she will revert to being a board member.

- NZPA