New Minerals Commissioner

Lawyer Alexandrya Herman has been appointed Seabed Minerals Commissioner and will lead Seabed Minerals Authority for the next three years.

The position was advertised with the usual Public Service interview and appointment processes and approved by Cabinet on Wednesday last week.

Announcing the appointment, Deputy Prime Minister Mark Brown said Herman had in-depth knowledge of the seabed minerals sector, and had been the first legal officer in the Seabed Minerals Authority before moving to the Crown Law Office in 2016.

He said he was looking forward to an exciting future in national seabed minerals sector under her stewardship.

Brown acknowledged the excellent leadership and service of outgoing Commissioner, lawyer Paul Lynch, who held the position for two terms from 2012 and now intends to re-establish his own private local legal/consultancy business.

“Paul played an important role in bringing this emerging sector to where it is placed now. I have no doubt (he) will continue to play a role in the seabed sector in other roles.

“The seabed mineral resources of our EEZ have the potential to positively transform our small nation, so it is important we ensure continued responsible stewardship by those tasked with managing these early stages of our national journey.”