By VERNON SMALL deputy political editor
Former anti-apartheid campaigner and trade unionist Joris de Bres is in line to be the next Race Relations Commissioner, filling the job left vacant by Gregory Fortuin.
A recommendation for his appointment will go to the Cabinet on Monday, although he will need the approval of the Coalition caucuses. The Opposition will also be consulted.
Associate Justice Minister Margaret Wilson would not discuss the likely appointee.
"I never say anything until the decision is made. Just because they go forward does not necessarily mean they get decided."
The job was readvertised after the withdrawal of South African-born Mr Fortuin, who had held the position since May last year on a short-term contract.
The Cabinet was poised to reappoint him to the $173,000-a-year job in March. But he stepped aside after the Herald revealed that he acted as a private mediator between the two factions of the Alliance.
Ms Wilson said previous applicants had been among those considered for the job.
Mr de Bres, 54, is general manager of external relations at the Department of Conservation.
His previous roles included vice-president of the anti-apartheid group Citizens Association for Racial Equality, assistant general secretary of the PSA and acting chief executive of the Historic Places Trust.
Government sources said his experience as a member of a Dutch immigrant family fitted him for the job which was seen as a multi-racial one rather than one solely focused on Maori-Pakeha relations.
Mr de Bres has a master's degree from Auckland University and has studied German and politics at the Free University of Berlin and Oxford University.
His story The Boat People, based on his experiences growing up as a Dutch immigrant child in 50s and 60s New Zealand, won a prize in the 1998 Landfall essay competition.
Unionist tipped for top race post
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