The Pacific Community Director-General, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, has announced the appointment of Dr ‘Ofa Ketu’u as the organisation’s next Director of its Statistics for Development Division.
Her appointment will take effect on 1 July 2016.
Dr Ketu’u brings significant technical expertise in economic and social statistics, and more than 20 years of experience in leadership positions within the Pacific region.
She joins SPC from Statistics New Zealand where, for example, she twice led the development and implementation of the New Zealand Census Pacific People Strategy. She also guided teams through structural and system changes at Statistics New Zealand.
Dr Ketu’u, of Tonga, has a PhD in Development Studies from Auckland University and a Master of Science in Economics from the London School of Economics. Her prior experience includes roles at the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation, the Government of Tonga and the World Bank.
SPC provides a range of technical support to Pacific Island countries and territories for the sound collection and analysis of statistical data to inform evidence-based policy-making as a prerequisite for social and economic development.
Dr Ketu’u’s high-level skills in the production, dissemination and use of statistics data will stand her in good stead as she assumes the leadership of this important thematic area, including SPC’s contribution to Phase 2 of the Ten Year Pacific Statistics Strategy 2011-2020.
Her appointment follows the retirement of Dr Gerald Haberkorn, who will leave SPC next month after 19 years of service.
Dr Ketu’u will be based at SPC headquarters in Noumea, New Caledonia.
Media contact
Jean-Noël Royer, Communication officer, [email protected]
Caption
Dr ‘Ofa Ketu’u
Useful link
Pacific Community congratulates Gerald Haberkorn for prestigious award