Howard Fancy

Howard Fancy has been Secretary for Education since July 1996. During this period he has led a substantial reorientation of the Ministry of Education, including the merger of the Special Education Service and Early Childhood Development with the Ministry.

Reforms have ranged across the education system, including the early childhood sector, schools, tertiary and industry training including the development of the 2002-2007 Tertiary Education strategy and the 10-year strategic plan for Early Childhood Education. In the school sector major initiatives have focused on ICT, literacy, assessment, and senior secondary qualifications – the NCEA.

Prior to joining the Ministry of Education, Howard was Chief Executive of the Ministry of Commerce, an adviser in the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, and a Deputy Secretary at Treasury for eight years.