The Office of the Public Service Commissioner (OPSC) says incumbent Tepaeru Herrmann will continue as the acting Secretary of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Immigration (MFAI).

Public Service Commissioner Carl Hunter told Cook Islands News that Herrmann is the acting secretary and will continue until such a time that Cabinet confirms who the next MFAI secretary will be.

Herrmann who had previously declined to comment on whether she would reapply for the head of Foreign Affairs and Immigration position has served three terms or nine years in the role since her appointment in 2015.

It remains unconfirmed whether she reapplied for the position, but Hunter had previously stated that any interested candidate would need to apply and go through the standard recruitment process.

The newspaper understands the list of shortlisted candidates is with the Cabinet for final decision.

The position was advertised in May and applications closed on June 1. Herrmann’s term ended on June 30.

A media release will be circulated by the OPSC once the successful applicant is confirmed by Cabinet.