Public Service Day Awards 2025

Jaimie’s career is a testament to selfless service, biosecurity excellence, and historical stewardship. From frontline quarantine to international deployments and UN consultancies, Jaimie has protected New Zealand’s borders, biodiversity, and communities. He mentors new staff, preserves biosecurity history, and fosters global partnerships. His work spans training on venomous snakes, military operations, and public engagement. Jaimie’s legacy is one of protection, education, and lifelong dedication to Aotearoa. His contributions have helped safeguard the way of life for New Zealanders, both now and for future generations. 

Raviv’s core values are shaped by a deep love for people and the natural world. Raviv has led thousands of hours of restorative work in the Avon River Corridor and Ōtūkaikino River, planting over 200,000 native trees to restore ecosystems damaged by earthquakes. Raviv’s calm presence, cultural insight, and genuine care for people and place have helped provide purpose and pathways for offenders to find employment, seek support, and reconnect with community. He serves with humility, making a lasting impact on both land and lives. Poipoia te kakano kia puawai. 

Karen is a quiet powerhouse in government procurement and international trade. Over two decades, she has redefined procurement as a lever for social, environmental, and economic outcomes, leading New Zealand’s accession to the WTO Government Procurement Agreement and shaping free trade deals with the EU, UK, and CPTPP. Her work has opened billions in global contract opportunities for Kiwi businesses. Karen mentors future leaders, fosters integrity, and brings humility to every negotiation. She is a vector for positive change. Her impact is global, her spirit of service unmistakable. 

Chris has exemplified public service values throughout his 50-year career, upholding the highest standards of integrity, transparency and responsiveness.  Chris became a key figure at Inland Revenue, where he led initiatives to strengthen integrity across government, including establishing the Joint Agency Integrity and Conduct Forum. His expertise and respected leadership supports integrity frameworks both at IRD and the system. Guided by empathy, pragmatism, and a deep commitment to New Zealand, Chris’s work makes a real difference for New Zealanders to continue having trust and confidence in the Public Service. 

Robert is a trusted leader in New Zealand’s Family Court system, known for his calm, people-first approach to justice. His national leadership during service provider disruptions ensured vulnerable families maintained safe, supervised parent-child contact. In Southland, he led the implementation of The Right Track programme—an innovative sentencing alternative addressing repeat traffic offending through community-focused rehabilitation. As Chair of the Family Reference and Process Group he influences nationwide improvements in Family Court services. Respected by judiciary and colleagues, Robert’s work quietly strengthens community safety, and the wellbeing of whānau across Aotearoa. 

Graham “Mac” MacPherson is a regional champion whose 47-year career spans frontline policing and transformative social leadership. As MSD’s Regional Commissioner and Te Tai Tokerau’s Public Service Commissioner, Mac advocates for the invisible, homeless whānau, rural communities, and youth. He leads with guts, compassion, and deep local knowledge, driving employment initiatives and community-led innovation. Mac’s leadership during COVID-19 and Cyclone Gabrielle was tireless and trusted. He does not seek recognition and strives to uplift his people. His legacy is defined by justice, humility, and a lasting impact. 

Ropeta’s career reflects unwavering dedication to community wellbeing, cultural integrity, and humble service. Her leadership during times of crisis ensured Pacific families were supported with empathy and dignity. Through her long-standing involvement in strengthening networks and connections with government agencies across the region, she has fostered collaboration and uplifted others through relational leadership. Calm and compassionate through challenges—from COVID-19 to Ministry restructures—she embodies tautua (service) and fa’aaloalo (respect). Ropeta’s legacy is quiet yet profound, leaving a lasting impact across the South Island and beyond. 

Donald has a depth of expertise in local government that he has actively sought to pass on as he approaches retirement. His contribution to best practice in the local government sector is second to none and there is not a community in New Zealand that has not been shaped by his work over the years. He is hugely valued and respected in his field and continues to bring fresh and flexible thinking to this role in the spirit of continuous improvement. 

Suzanne is the backbone of Customs, steadfast, humble, and transformative. With over 47 years of service, she has modernised trade systems, strengthened international relationships, and improved emergency preparedness. Her work on the original NZ Traveller Declaration, verifying the health status of passengers during COVID-19 border reopening and Customs Act reform reflects deep technical skill and care for public outcomes. Suzanne mentors staff, champions fairness, and leads with quiet strength. She doesn’t seek the spotlight, but her legacy shines through the systems she’s built and the people she’s uplifted. 

Sharon is a trailblazer in food safety, regulatory excellence, and public health protection. With over 40 years in the primary sector and public service, she has led national and international efforts to reduce foodborne illness, safeguard exports, and build trust in New Zealand’s food systems. Her leadership during crises, including the WPC80 incident and COVID-19, reflects her integrity, pragmatism, and care. Sharon mentors’ staff, transforms systems, and ensures fairness in every decision. She serves with quiet determination, leaving a legacy of safety, innovation, and respect. 

Roderick is a nationally respected leader in waste, resource efficiency, and circular economy policy. Known for his deep technical expertise and collaborative style, Rod has helped shape national strategies, including the New Zealand Waste Strategy, Emissions Reduction Plans, and the development of Product Stewardship Schemes.  His advice to ministers and stakeholders is grounded in evidence and enriched by deep sector relationships and delivered with integrity. Rod inspires through his generosity, storytelling and unwavering commitment to enabling people and places to thrive, now and in the future. 

Jason leads with heart, precision, and purpose. As Policy Manager for the Ministerial Advisory Group on Retail Crime, he has turned community concerns into legislative change, reforming citizen’s arrest powers, shoplifting consequences, and trespass law. His diplomacy and technical mastery have earned praise from Ministers and stakeholders alike. Jason listens deeply, translates lived experience into policy, and builds trust across sectors. His work brings safety, reassurance, and hope to frontline workers and small businesses. Jason serves with humility and drive, proving that public service can be both compassionate and transformative. 

Bede is the steward of New Zealand’s welfare system. Over 20 years, he has shaped income support policy across governments, guided reforms like the Families Package and Child Support Pass-On, and supported emergency responses from Christchurch to COVID-19. Bede mentors future policy leaders, speaks truth to power, and ensures decisions reflect the needs of vulnerable New Zealanders. He is a quiet achiever whose wisdom, integrity, and care have improved millions of lives. Bede serves with purpose. His work is the foundation of a fairer Aotearoa. 

Over Bary’s career, he has worked in a range of roles across the public and private sector, resulting in a depth of knowledge across the government context and policy. He is highly sought out for his ability to bring together customer, system and policy consideration and perspectives to provide clear, coherent and pragmatic advice. He has led policy work on significant business taxation measures to support the growth and innovation of New Zealand businesses. 

Hugh has an established reputation both domestically and internationally as a leading governance and monitoring practitioner. Having served for 22 years as a teacher and in the core Public Service since 1994, Hugh has always been driven to make a difference and a focus on unlocking the benefits of good governance to improve the lives of all New Zealanders. He has led significant initiatives across the Crown entity system that will have an enduring impact in shaping Crown entity governance and the role of Crown entities within the wider public sector. 

Megan is a policy leader of rare depth, humility, and impact. Over 20 years, she has helped shape landmark reforms, from surrogacy and adoption law to international treaties and sexual violence proceedings. Her stewardship of policy quality has mentored hundreds, embedding excellence and integrity across government. Megan’s quiet leadership, legal acumen, and commitment to free and frank advice have earned her deep respect from Ministers, judiciary, and colleagues. She serves to strengthen systems and uplift others. Megan is the backbone of justice policy, thoughtful, principled, and profoundly influential. 

Mary-Anne is the quiet force behind conservation on the West Coast. For over 40 years, she has supported DOC operations with unmatched reliability, kindness, and institutional knowledge. Known as “the glue that keeps things from falling apart,” Mary-Anne enables frontline teams to thrive, trains staff through system transitions and fosters a culture of care. Her service extends to local cycling and golf clubs, reflecting her deep community roots. Mary-Anne’s spirit of service is felt in every task she completes and every person she supports. 

Seabee embodies humility, cultural integrity and a profound spirit of service. From supporting Pacific NEET youth through values-based talanoa to leading national engagements on the Samoan Citizenship Bill, he fosters trust and transformation. His frontline contributions during the 2023 Auckland floods, Cyclone Gabrielle, and HMNZS Manawanui sinking ensured culturally safe responses. Through cultural capability workshops and cross-agency collaboration, he strengthens Pacific representation and equity in government. Seabee serves not to be seen, but to make others feel seen—quietly shaping lives and systems with care and purpose.

Rebecca is Deputy Public Service Commissioner, working closely with the Public Service Commissioner to provide leadership and oversight of the Public Service. From March 2023 to April 2024, Rebecca stepped into the role of acting Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Chief Executive from her substantive role at the Commission. Prior to this, Rebecca was Director-General of Security and Chief Executive, New Zealand Security Intelligence Service. 

Nicola is the Deputy Secretary of the Cabinet (Constitutional and Honours) at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC), taking up the role in February 2023.  Her role includes leading the Honours Unit. Prior to this role, she was the head of the legal function at Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission and DPMC. 

Peter is the Commissioner and Chief Executive of Inland Revenue, taking up the role in July 2022. Prior to this, he was Secretary and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Transport (6 years) and Land Information New Zealand (4 years).

Peter has held senior leadership roles in Inland Revenue and the Treasury. He has also worked for the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, the Department of Labour, the Department of Trade and Industry, and the Bank of New Zealand.

Penny Nelson is the Director-General of Conservation and is responsible for managing a third of New Zealand’s land area and protecting native species and ecosystems on both land and water.

Before joining DOC in 2021, Penny held senior roles across government, including at the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and Ministry for the Environment. She was previously Deputy Director-General for Biosecurity NZ. She has also worked within the private and science sectors including roles at Dairy NZ, the Sustainable Business Council, and Landcare Research.

Mervin is the first Chief Executive of the Ministry for Ethnic Communities. Prior to this, he led the Office of Ethnic Affairs. He was the Executive Director at the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions. Mervin has held several executive leadership roles at the Department of Internal Affairs, including Deputy Chief Executive – Stewardship and Organisational Sustainability and Deputy Chief Executive – Strategy and Governance. 

Rauru (Te Whānau ā Apanui) is Kaihautū to the Public Service Commissioner and has a notable background serving iwi, Māori, and New Zealand through his many roles in academia, consultancy and the Public Service. Rauru is also an experienced resource consent commissioner, has had various academic activities at universities in both New Zealand and Australia, and continues to serve on several committees.