The Ministry of Justice has appointed Carl Crafar as its Chief Operating Officer - Operations and Service Delivery.

He will be responsible for leading the ministry's operations and delivery to its customers including administering the courts and tribunals, collecting fines, and the legal aid system. 

This is a new role at the Ministry of Justice. The ministry says it follows a decision to bring its three operational teams together under one national leader.

Mr Crafar joins the ministry from the Ministry of Social Development where he is Deputy Chief Executive. He has also had a long involvement in the social sector, having been Director, Social Sector Trials, at MSD since 2011.

He is expected to join the Ministry of Justice in mid-August 2016.