Curran resignation may end search for chief tech officer

New Zealand’s government may dump plans to appoint the country’s first chief technology officer following the resignation of former cabinet minister Clare Curran over the recruitment process.

There is speculation that the $500,000 allocated for the role will be used to strengthen the office of the government’s chief science adviser by employing senior science staff and technology consultants.

Paul Matthews, chief executive of IT Professionals NZ, told local media that the position was “probably a dead duck” following the controversy that led to Curran’s resignation.