Announcing the 2025 Public Service Day Awards recipients

The awards recognise public servants who exemplify the spirit of service and are making a real difference through their everyday work for New Zealanders. They are held each year on or around Public Service Day which marks the day New Zealand’s first Public Service Act became law on 7 November 1912.

Ten public servants were awarded Te Tohu Ratonga Tūmatanui o Aotearoa New Zealand Public Service Medal and 8 received Te Tohu Amorangi a Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commissioner's Commendation for Excellence. The 18 recipients span 12 agencies and 7 regions from Northland to Southland.

In his speech, Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche said the award recipients represent the very best of public service.

"What stands out about this year’s medal and commendation recipients isn’t just what they achieved – it’s how they’ve gone about it. They come from different backgrounds, different agencies, and different parts of the country. But they all have something in common – they’ve led by example, and they’ve made a lasting impact.

Leadership isn’t about job titles or where you sit in the organisation. It’s about supporting others and helping move things forward – even when the system makes it hard. And it’s about influence – influencing a better outcome."

The New Zealand Public Service Medal is part of the New Zealand Royal Honours system and is awarded to public servants who have given service that’s worthy of merit. Medal recipients are people who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to New Zealand and New Zealanders, they are exemplary Public Service employees and bring significant benefit to New Zealand or the Public Service.

Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s New Zealand Public Service Medal:

• Jaimie Baird, Senior Quarantine Officer at Ministry for Primary Industries (Wellington)
• Raviv Carasuk, Community Work Supervisor at Department of Corrections (Christchurch)
• Karen English, Director, International Procurement and Trade at Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (Wellington)
• Chris Linton, Domain Lead, Integrity at Inland Revenue (Wellington)
• Robert Loo, Manager Justice Services, at Ministry of Justice (Invercargill)
• Graham MacPherson, Regional Public Service Commissioner and Regional Commissioner at Ministry of Social Development (Northland)
• Ropeta Mene-Tulia, Director, Southern Commissioning & Partnerships at Ministry for Pacific Peoples (Christchurch)
• Donald Riezebos, Principal Advisor, Local Government Commission at Department of Internal Affairs (Wellington)
• Suzanne Smith, Manager Operations, Service Delivery at New Zealand Customs Service (Canterbury)
• Sharon Wagener, Manager, Systems Audit, NZ Food Safety at Ministry for Primary Industries (Wellington)

The Public Service Commissioner's Commendation for Excellence is awarded to people in Public Service delivery roles who demonstrate exceptional care and commitment to New Zealanders. They also demonstrate a ‘higher purpose' motivation, the highest standard of integrity, kaitiakitanga and the right attitude.

Congratulations to the recipients of this year’s Public Service Commissioner's Commendation for Excellence:

• Roderick Boys, Principal Advisor at Ministry for the Environment (Nelson)
• Jason Frick, Policy Manager, Ministerial Advisory Group, Retail Crime at Ministry of Justice (Auckland)
• Bede Hogan, Policy Manager at Ministry of Social Development (Wellington)
• Bary Hollow, Principal Policy Advisor at Inland Revenue (Wellington)
• Hugh Lawrence, Principal Advisor, Public Sector Performance at the Public Service Commission (Wellington)
• Megan Noyce, Chief Advisor, Policy Group at Ministry of Justice (Wellington)
• Mary-Anne Thorpe, Regional Business Support Officer at Department of Conservation (West Coast)
• Leutele Levaogogo Seabee Tulilo, Partnerships Lead at Ministry for Pacific Peoples (Auckland)