Finn Stichbury Photo: Supplied
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has a new chief press secretary, who has taken on the role for 12 months starting on Monday.
Finn Stichbury, the National Party's 2023 campaign communications manager, has stepped into the job left vacant by Hamish Rutherford.
Stichbury has worked both in the party and parliamentary offices on and off since 2016.
Rutherford took on the job in April 2022 when Luxon was opposition leader, and has for the last year done the role from government.
He resigned in September, almost 10 months to the day since the coalition government formed.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and chief press secretary Hamish Rutherford in June. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Rutherford had previously been Wellington business editor for Stuff and then the New Zealand Herald.
While Stichbury fills a vacancy in the top job, the office remains without its deputy, Jasmine Higginson, who recently went on maternity leave.
Several ministers offices have had changes, including Finance Minister Nicola Willis, who has hired two new press secretaries in the past few months.
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