NZAID's people
NZAID's senior management team
Chief Executive and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade | John Allen
John Allen was appointed as the Ministry's Chief Executive and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade in July 2009. He leads the Ministry as the Government's chief adviser on foreign and trade policy, official development assistance, international law, and diplomatic and consular issues. He is responsible to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Disarmament and Arms Control.
Before taking up his role in the Ministry, John served as the Chief Executive of New Zealand Post for six years. He joined New Zealand Post in 1994 and held a number of senior management roles prior to his appointment as Chief Executive. In his earlier career, John reached the position of Partner at law firm Rudd Watts & Stone, and was a visiting lecturer in Law at Victoria University of Wellington.
Director, Pacific Group | Craig Hawke
Craig Hawke has been director of NZAID's Pacific Group since the agency was established in 2002. He had previously worked with NZAID's predecessor - the Development Cooperation Division - as deputy director of the Asia/Africa section and as the manager of the Cook Islands programme. Craig's professional background and interests have focussed on the Pacific, development and trade issues. Working in the Foreign Ministry, Craig has had overseas assignments in Canberra, Seoul and Samoa. In the mid 1990's Craig had a two year assignment in parliament working for the Minister for International Trade.
Director, Global Group | Don Clarke
Don Clarke has been director of NZAID’s Global Group since the agency was established in 2002. Don has extensive experience in the non-governmental organisation (NGO) sector, especially in the area of international aid and development. His professional experience has included national-level administration, strategic planning, programme development, policy development and advocacy in organisations such as the Council for International Development, where he was executive director from 1990–1994, and the Commonwealth Foundation (London), where he was deputy director from 1995–1998. Don has also been a journalist and publisher.
Director, Strategy, Advisory & Evaluation Group | Jackie Frizelle
Jackie Frizelle has worked with NZAID since the agency’s inception. Previously she worked with NZAID's predecessor – the Development Cooperation Division of MFAT. Jackie has held a range of roles in the Ministry including development economist and deputy director of Pacific Group (Melanesia) and is currently the director of NZAID’s Strategy, Advisory and Evaluation Group. With over 20 years experience working in international development, including four years as a VSA volunteer in Papua New Guinea and Bhutan, Jackie has a strong commitment to improving aid effectiveness and reducing poverty. Her background is in agricultural science and economics.
Director, Management Services Group | Chris Whelan
Chris Whelan started as Management Services Group director in October 2002. Before joining NZAID, Chris was employed by the New Zealand Police for four years, first as the corporate services manager for police training before becoming responsible for the development and business planning around national operations. Prior to New Zealand Police, Chris worked as general manager of student facilities at Victoria University from 1994–1998. Chris has an MA in History and a Masters of Business Administration.
Communications Manager | Catrina Williams
Catrina has worked for NZAID since mid 2004 and is the agency's communications manager. Catrina is a strategic communications specialist and has previously worked for Canterbury Museum and Christchurch Art Gallery. With her small team, she is enjoying the challenge of finding new ways of sharing NZAID stories and building communications in the organisation.