Mervyn Probine

Dr. Mervyn Probine CB
Chairman of the State Services Commission
In office
1981–1985
Prime Minister Sir Robert Muldoon, David Lange
Preceded by Dr. Robin M. Williams CB. CBE. MA. PHD HONLLD
Succeeded by Dr. Roderick Deane
Personal details
Born Auckland
Died 17 April 2010
BeachHaven Hospital, Auckland

Mervyn Charles Probine, CB, FRSNZ (30 April 1924 – 17 April 2010[1]) was Chairman of the State Services Commission in New Zealand.

Dr Probine joined the DSIR as a draughtsman in 1942. He obtained a PhD in physics from the University of Leeds. In 1967, he was appointed Director of the Physics and Engineering Laboratory (PEL), and then ten years later, was promoted to Assistant Director-General. Dr Probine joined the State Services Commission in 1979.[2]

Dr Probine was the Chairman of the State Services Commission when the Official Information Act 1982 was passed and when the Equal Employment Opportunities Unit (EEOU) was set up. The EEOU was in charge of promoting access to employment opportunities for ethnic minorities, women, and the disabled, and monitoring these across the New Zealand public service.

He was born in Auckland, and married Marjorie Walker in 1949. They had two children.

References

  1. ^ "Former State Services Commission boss dies". Stuff.co.nz. NZPA. 19 April 2010. http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politics/3597666/Former-State-Services-Commission-boss-dies. Retrieved 23 October 2011. 
  2. ^ Henderson, Alan. The Quest for Efficiency:The Origins of the State Services Commission. ISBN 0477055389.