Deputy Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggott today announced the appointment of Ms Ellen MacGregor-Reid as Secretary for Education and Chief Executive, Ministry of Education.
The Ministry of Education is the Government’s lead advisor on education. It plays a central role in shaping education policy, supporting student achievement, and delivering positive change for children and young people across New Zealand.
Ms MacGregor-Reid is currently the Acting Secretary for Education, a role she has held since October 2024. She has held senior leadership roles at the Ministry of Education since 2015, including Deputy Secretary positions responsible for curriculum, early learning and policy.
Ms Baggott said Ms MacGregor-Reid has shown she is a leader who can deliver on the Government’s priorities and lead significant change across the education system.
“Ms MacGregor-Reid has led and progressed the Government’s education priorities, including major reform to the curriculum and NCEA,” said Ms Baggott.
“Ms MacGregor-Reid has earned the trust of successive Ministers to lead changes that make a real difference for students.
“Her leadership, credibility within the sector, and focus on high-performance make her well placed to lead the Ministry through its next phase.”
Ms MacGregor-Reid holds a Master of Arts with First Class Honours in Human Geography from the University of Auckland.
She has been appointed for 4½ years from 25 November 2025.
Biography
Ms MacGregor-Reid is currently Acting Secretary for Education, a role she has held since October 2024.
She has held senior leadership roles at the Ministry of Education since 2015, including Deputy Secretary positions responsible for curriculum, early learning, student achievement, strategy and governance.
Ms Macgregor-Reid led the Curriculum Refresh and the NCEA Change Programme and played a key role in the national distance learning response during COVID-19.
She has led pay equity settlements, negotiated industrial agreements, and worked closely with iwi and Māori education bodies to embed equity and strengthen Crown–Māori partnerships.
Prior to joining the Ministry of Education, Ms MacGregor-Reid held senior roles at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and the Ministry of Social Development.
She began her public service career at the Treasury, where she worked on immigration and labour market issues and served as an economic advisor to the Associate Minister of Finance.
Ms MacGregor-Reid holds a Master of Arts with First Class Honours in Human Geography from the University of Auckland.
