Kia ora koutou,
As many of you will be aware, Graeme Harris retired as Director of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive of the CAA last Monday. I want to acknowledge Graeme’s significant contribution to New Zealand’s aviation sector during the eight years he was in the role. I first met Graeme when I worked at the Authority from 2000-2005, and know he has been a tireless advocate for aviation safety in New Zealand.
I have been appointed as Acting Director and Chief Executive while the search is underway for a permanent replacement. It is a challenging time to be stepping into such a role, with far more uncertainty facing New Zealand’s aviation industry now than anyone would have imagined when news of COVID-19 first emerged only a few months ago.
The next few months are critical for New Zealand’s aviation industry, and during this time the Authority will need to adapt as the needs of industry continue to rapidly change. We recognise the importance of New Zealand having not only a safe aviation sector, but crucially one that can help us get back on our feet as a nation post-COVID-19. I will be working closely with our leadership team over the coming months to ensure we are doing what we can to support the recovery of aviation in New Zealand.
We are also in the middle of a period of significant change as an organisation, with a restructure proposal currently in front of our staff, and a Ministerial review into our workplace culture due for release in the near future. This is a difficult time for many of our staff, and I ask that you bear with us as we make the changes we must in order to rebuild the organisation and improve our relationships with industry.
Although I do not have an aviation background I am dedicated to making things work in this role, and rest assured, I will work closely with our regulatory teams over these coming months, which include experienced pilots, LAMEs and others with life-long aviation careers behind them. What I do bring is a strong background in organisational and sector reform and culture change- my approach is to set clear accountability for the leadership team and engage widely across the organisation and with external stakeholders in order to drive the changes that we need to make to be successful. I want the best for the Authority and New Zealand’s aviation sector, and I am open to any suggestions you may have about how we can do things better.
Dean Winter is acting DCE for Aviation Safety
You may have heard that Dean Winter has taken on the role of acting DCE for Aviation Safety while Janine Hearn is on leave. Dean joined the Authority in February, and has a strong background in regulatory leadership, as well as in performance monitoring and assurance.
Dean brings experience leading and developing teams in complex environments, and will be making the most of our organisational expertise to add value to the regulatory function. Dean is working closely with our Certification Manager Shaun Johnson on support and guidance for the industry at this time.
Aviation under Alert Level 2
All aviation activity is permitted under Level 2 COVID-19 restrictions. All this activity must, however, comply with, and be conducted within, COVID-19 physical distancing rules and other Ministry of Health public health guidelines.
Follow this link to see more detailed Level 2 guidance and a series of frequently asked questions.
Ngā manaakitanga (with best wishes)
Shelley Turner, Acting Director of Civil Aviation and Chief Executive
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