MFEM has recently farewelled Mr Xavier Mitchell, who served as the Collector, Comptroller and Director of Revenue Management Division (RMD) for six years.
Xavier, a proud Cook Islander, was born and raised in New Zealand, which gave him a unique perspective in his role as the Director. He joined MFEM in January 2018 on a three-year contract, which was later extended for another three years and two months, from February 2021.
Garth Henderson, the Financial Secretary, stated that it is always a challenge to find skilled and competent individuals for key positions in public service, and it is often necessary to recruit from overseas for specialized roles. Finding Xavier, who has a clear connection to the Cook Islands, was fortunate. I thank Xavier for his service and will continue to build on his legacy. Recruitment for a replacement is currently in progress.