Biographies of Senior Management

Rowena Phair Chief Executive: Rowena Phair took up the role of the Ministry’s Chief Executive in July 2010. Rowena was Policy Manager at the Ministry from 2004 to 2007 before going to work at Treasury. Her roles there included Manager, Children and their Families, State Sector Performance Group; Acting Assistant Secretary/Deputy Secretary, State Sector Performance Group; and Manager, Tax Strategy. phair@mwa.govt.nz

Anne Shaw General Manager Policy: Anne has worked across the public sector in range of roles and portfolios including Tertiary Education, State Owned Enterprises, Treasury and Housing. Anne has been with the Department of Internal Affairs since 2005, first as a local/central government Relationship Manager, then managing the Community and Sector Policy Team. Anne has been with the Ministry of Women's Affairs on secondment from DIA since September 2009. Anne first came as Deputy Policy Manager, and now will be General Manager Policy for the next six months until February 2011. Anne has a Masters of Public Management. shaw@mwa.govt.nz Note: Sarah Turner is now with the Ministry of Justice.

Martin Sebire General Manager Corporate: Martin joined the Ministry in 2005.  He has a Degree in Commerce and Administration from Victoria University, and is also a qualified chartered accountant. Martin began his government career as a policy analyst with the housing corporation and then moved into a range of financial management positions in large government departments including Commerce, Inland Revenue and Conservation.  His most recent previous position was at the Historic Places Trust where he was the Corporate Services Manager. Martin is married with four children. The Corporate Services function covers the support functions of the Ministry including human resources, communications, finance, administration, and information services. sebire@mwa.govt.nz

Tania Simpson Tania is the Kaihautū for the Ministry of Women's Affairs from May to September 2010. Tania has a background in Māori development with senior roles at the Housing Corporation, Te Puni Kōkiri, and the Office of Treaty Settlements. She is the Chief Executive of Kowhai Consulting; a member of the Waitangi Tribunal; and a director of Mighty River Power and Landcare Research. Tania is also an accredited member of the Institute of Directors and a Harvard-trained negotiator. simpson@mwa.govt.nz

Note: Sonya Rimene, is now with the Plunket New Zealand Sonya.Rimene@plunket.org.nz.

Other Ministry contact information

Pamela Cohen
Director, Nominations
noms@mwa.govt.nz

Rod Scotts
Communications Manager
scotts@mwa.govt.nz

Claire Benson
Information Services Manager
benson@mwa.govt.nz

Ministry of Women's Affairs
PO Box 10049
WELLINGTON 6143
Courier: Revera House, Level 2, 48 Mulgrave Street, Thorndon
Phone: 04 915 7112
Fax: 04 9161604
mwa@mwa.govt.nz