New head of Family and Community Services

Ministry of Social Development Chief Executive Brendan Boyle today announced the appointment of Murray Edridge as the new head of the Ministry’s Family and Community Services.

"Murray in his role as Chief Executive of Barnardos New Zealand, has worked with and on behalf of many thousands of children, young people and their families. Murray also has had a long history of voluntary work.

"Murray has a demonstrated ability to partner successfully with government and other community agencies. He’s played a key role on the Family Services National Advisory Council (FSNAC) and has stepped up to champion public debate on how New Zealand can protect its most vulnerable children, through the Green Paper for Vulnerable Children (the Green Paper).

"The Ministry is fortunate to have gained his talents and I am looking forward to working with him," said Brendan Boyle.

Prior to his time at Barnardos, Murray worked for a number of years in the Electricity and Gas sector, as Business Manager for Radio New Zealand, and as General Manager Corporate Services for The Open Polytechnic of New Zealand.

Murray has a commerce degree from Victoria University and is a Chartered Accountant. He will take up his new position early in the New Year.

"I would also like to thank Richard Wood, the retiring head of Family and Community Services, for the outstanding contribution he has made to New Zealand families and communities in his nearly 47 years of public service."

"Richard has led Family and Community Services for the past eight years and has been a driving force behind many key programmes including SKIP, High Trust Contracting, Whanau Ora and the "It's Not Ok" family violence campaign."

"I wish Richard all the best for his retirement and want to publicly acknowledge the huge contribution he has made to New Zealand’s social services," said Brendan Boyle.

Media Contact: nationalmediateam@msd.govt.nz or ph 04 916 3496