John Key’s chief press secretary Sia Aston to move to New Zealand’s State Services Commission
Sia Aston has resigned as chief press secretary to New Zealand’s prime minister John Key, to move to the State Services Commission (SSC).
Aston will be working with incoming state services commissioner Peter Hughes, who will take over from current commissioner Iain Rennie at the end of the month.
She will take up the role of director, communications and engagement, on 11 July.
The former TV3 journalist said her decade in Parliament had been “extremely rewarding”, but it was time for something new.
She added: “I’m excited about working with Peter Hughes, who I have great respect for, and the team at the SSC.
“It was a privilege and a pleasure to work over the years with the prime minister, ministers and the many talented and good people around them.”
Before moving to Key’s office, Aston worked for Paula Bennett – then social development minister – at the same time Hughes was chief executive for the Ministry of Social Development.
Key said: “I want to thank Sia for her significant contribution to the government, both as Press Secretary to Minister Bennett for a number of years post the 2008 election and more recently as my chief press secretary.
“We are going to miss her, but congratulate her on her new role at the SSC and wish her the best for the future.”
Hughes’ appointment was announced by Key in May, who described him as “one of New Zealand’s most experienced and respected public service chief executives”.
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About Winnie Agbonlahor
Winnie is news editor of Global Government Forum. She previously reported for Civil Service World - the trade magazine for senior UK government officials. Originally from Germany, Winnie first came to the UK in 2006 to study a BA in Journalism & Russian at the University of Sheffield. She is bilingual in English and German, and, after spending an academic year abroad in Russia and reporting for the Moscow Times, Winnie also speaks Russian fluently.
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