Each Public Service department and departmental agency has a chief executive, appointed by the Public Service Commissioner. Chief executives are responsible to a minister for the performance of their agency. They have responsibilities to protect the integrity of the Public Service. They also work across the system to improve inter-operability, co-ordination, and collaboration across public service agencies.
The Public Service Act 2020 and the Public Finance Act 1989 govern the role of chief executives. Each chief executive has responsibilities to their minister or ministers, including for:
- the performance and operation of their agency
- providing advice to ministers
- developing and implementing the policy and programmes of the Government
- developing and maintaining the capability of the Public Service to engage with Māori.
Public Service chief executives support their ministers to be accountable in Parliament. Chief executives may appear before Parliamentary select committees to review their department’s expenditure and annual reports.
Chief executives are responsible to the Public Service Commissioner for ensuring their agency upholds the Public Service principles.