Tamatoa Jonassen has been re-appointed as the Secretary for the Ministry of Justice – Te Tango Tutara ō te Ture - for a second three-year term.

The Office of the Public Service Commissioner confirmed the reappointment on Friday.

Heads of Ministries (HoMs) are employed under three-year term contracts. Pursuant to the Public Service Amendment Act 2009, a HoM’s employment may “roll-over” into a second three-year term contract with the approval of Cabinet, and provided that performance criteria has been met during the HoM’s first term. 

According to the Office of the Public Service Commissioner, during his first term, Jonassen took on the role of Secretary for Justice from December 2018, half way during the fiscal year (FY) 2018/19. 

“Jonassen and the team at Ministry of Justice have since managed to improve overall performance of the ministry by achieving notable achievements in all aspects of its operations – leadership, workforce planning capabilities and implementation are evidenced in the Annual Performance Reviews and Jonassen’s 360◦ survey report and are a reflection of the leadership, the quality of communication and collaborative relationships at a management level,” the statement said.

“Jonassen has consistently demonstrated able leadership, achieving above average performance ratings.”

Overall, the Ministry has performed consistently achieving 24 out of 38 of its deliverables at expected levels or higher (three or above), which is a good achievement, the Office of the Public Service Commissioner said.

Despite disruptions by Covid-19 which impacted the judicial responsibilities of the ministry, resorting to virtual court-sittings ensured that hearings were able to proceed. 

“Jonassen has advanced his critical success factors which were about progressing organisational management tools and systems, addressing the Ministry’s Capacity Assessment priorities (which have been completed); completing and endorsing their Risk Management Plan; and implementing a Performance Management System.”

For his second term, Jonassen’s intention is to focus on further improving systems and process within the ministry, implementing modern information technology to enhance services and security, such as record digitisation, and strengthening community outreach.

The Public Service Commissioner, Carl Hunter, commented that he has every confidence in Jonassen’s ability to continue to perform his duties to the highest of standards during his second term as the head of the Ministry of Justice.

Hunter states that Jonassen is a high performer who is both confident and always seeking ways to improve the way in which the ministry can enhance service delivery whilst working closely with his team at the Ministry of Justice.