Ngā kaiarataki Ratonga Tūmatanui o tēnei wāCurrent Public Service leaders

Te Pou Turuki mō Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission

Heather returns to her substantive position of Deputy Public Service Commissioner at Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission. Heather has also been an Assistant Commissioner for Culture and Heritage at Te Kawa Mataaho and has held several senior leadership roles in the justice and culture sectors.

Commenced

October 2021 Te Kawa Mataaho

Sectors

Central agencies

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui | Public Service Leadership Team

Website

publicservice.govt.nz

Manatū Kaupapa Waonga | Ministry of Defence

Andrew is the Secretary of Defence and Chief Executive of Manatū Kaupapa Waonga Ministry of Defence. Before this role, he was Secretary for Justice and Chief Executive at Ministry of Justice, and Deputy Chief Executive, Acting Chief Executive and Acting Director-General at the Ministry of Health. Andrew began his career in the Public Service as a senior solicitor in the Ministry of Māori Development.

Commenced

July 2019

Sectors

National security

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui | Public Service Leadership Team

Website

defence.govt.nz

Katrina is the Chief Executive, Cyclone Recovery Unit within the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC). Since June 2021, Katrina has been the Executive Director of the Implementation Unit within DPMC, which monitors and supports the implementation of the Government’s critical initiatives. From October 2022 Katrina was also the Deputy Chief Executive of the COVID-19 Group, also at DPMC. Between 2012 and 2021 she was Deputy Secretary, Sector Enablement and Support at the Ministry of Education.

Commenced

February 2023 

Te Tari Hara Tāware | Serious Fraud Office

Karen is the Director and Chief Executive at Te Tari Hara Tāware Serious Fraud Office. Prior to this, she was Acting General Counsel and Head of Enforcement at the Financial Markets Authority. Karen has also worked as a senior Crown prosecutor, and a commercial and regulatory litigation lawyer in private practice in Auckland, Sydney and New York City.

Commenced

April 2022

Sectors

Justice

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

sfo.govt.nz

Manatū Wāhine | Ministry for Women

Kellie is Secretary for Women and Chief Executive of Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women. Kellie was previously Deputy Commissioner, System & Agency Performance Kaikōmihana Tuarua, Te Aromātai Whakatutukitanga at Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission and has held a number of senior leadership roles across the Public Service.

Commenced

June 2021

Sectors

Populations and communities

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

women.govt.nz

Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga | Ministry of Housing and Urban Development

Andrew is Secretary for Housing and Urban Development and Chief Executive of Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga Ministry of Housing and Urban Development. Previously, Andrew was Chief Executive at Land Information New Zealand and held a number of leadership roles across the Public Service including Treasury, the Department of Labour, the Ministry for the Environment and the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment.

Commenced

August 2018

Sectors

Housing

Social 

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

hud.govt.nz

Te Tumu Whakarae mō ngā Iwi o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa | Secretary for Pacific
Peoples

Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone commenced her role as the Secretary for Pacific Peoples and the Chief Executive of the Ministry for Pacific Peoples on the 1st of February 2023.

She previously held the role of Director, Pacific Health at the Ministry of Health, General Manager, Child Youth, Localities and Family Harm at the Capital and Coast District Health Board. Between 2015 and 2018, Gerardine was a self-employed consultant, including senior consultant for Pacific Perspectives Limited.

Commenced

February 2023

Sectors

Populations and communities

Website

mpp.govt.nz

Te Pā Whakamarumaru | New Zealand Security Intelligence Service

Andrew is the Director-General of Security and Chief Executive of Te Pā Whakamarumaru New Zealand Security Intelligence Service. Prior to this, Andrew was Director-General and Chief Executive of the Government Communications Security Bureau from April 2016, and Government Chief Information Security Officer. Andrew has held senior public service positions including in the State Services Commission (now Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission), and as Deputy Secretary for Education and Director of the Office of the Secretary at the Ministry for Education, Deputy Chief Executive at the Crown Law Office, and as Deputy Secretary Courts and Director of the Office of Treaty Settlements, both at the Ministry of Justice.

Commenced

April 2023 

Sectors

National security

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

nzsis.govt.nz

Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education

Iona is Secretary for Education and Chief Executive of Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga Ministry of Education. Prior to this role, Iona was Chief Review Officer and Chief Executive at the Education Review Office and Deputy Chief Executive at the Ministry for Social Development. Iona has also held roles in the Public Service Association, Newtown Union Health Service, and the then State Services Commission (now Public Service Commission). 

Commenced

December 2016

Sectors

Education

Social

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

education.govt.nz

Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission

Peter is the Public Service Commissioner at Te Kawa Mataaho. He started his career in the Public Service as a clerk at the Department of Social Welfare, and his roles have included policy advice, working in the field and senior executive management. Prior to this role, Peter was Chief Executive of the Ministry of Education. Before that appointment, Peter was Professor of Public Management and Head of the School of Government at Victoria University of Wellington.

Commenced

July 2016

Sectors

Central agencies

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Māori Crown Relations

Te Pae Aramahi Pūnaha System Development Board Chair

Website

publicservice.govt.nz

Te Tari Ture o te Karauna | Crown Law Office

Una is Solicitor-General at Te Tari Ture o te Karauna Crown Law Office. She has previously held positions as Acting Director of the Government Communications Security Bureau and as a legal advisor at the Ministry of Fisheries and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.

Commenced

February 2016

Sectors

Central agencies

Justice

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

crownlaw.govt.nz

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs

Paul is Secretary for Internal Affairs and Chief Executive for Te Tari Taiwhenua Department of Internal Affairs. Paul also holds the roles of Secretary for Local Government and Government Chief Digital Officer. He was previously the Chief Executive for Manatū Taonga, Ministry for Culture and Heritage from August 2015.

Commenced

October 2018

Sectors

Central agencies

Cultural

Environment

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Digital lead

Website

dia.govt.nz

Te Tāhū o te Ture | Ministry of Justice

Andrew is Secretary for Justice and Chief Executive of Te Tāhū o te Ture Ministry of Justice. Prior to this, he was Chief Executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Deputy Chief Executive at Treasury, Director of the Policy Advisory Group at Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, and General Manager Strategic Development at the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology.

Commenced

February 2019

Sectors

Justice

Social 

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

justice.govt.nz

Te Tari o te Pirīmia me te Komiti Matua | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Rebecca is the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Chief Executive of Te Tari o te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC). Rebecca has been appointed until January 2024 from her substantive role as Deputy Public Service Commissioner at Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission. Prior to this position she was the Director-General of Security and Chief Executive of Te Pā Whakamarumaru New Zealand Security Intelligence Service. Rebecca is formerly the Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council Cabinet Office at DPMC. 

Commenced

March 2023 

Sectors 

Central agencies

Emergency 

National security

Social

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui | Public Service Leadership Team

Te Pae Aramahi Kaupapa Here | Policy Development Board Chair

Website

dpmc.govt.nz

Te Tumu Whakarae mō ngā Taonga | Secretary for Culture and Heritage

Leauanae is appointed as Secretary for Culture and Heritage. Prior to this appointment he was Secretary for Pacific Peoples and Chief Executive of Te Manatū mō Ngā Iwi ō te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa Ministry for Pacific Peoples. He has held roles as Chief Executive at Pacific Cooperation Foundation, General Manager at Pure Pacifika Limited, and Pacific Health Manager at ProCare Health Limited. 

Commenced

October 2022

Sectors

Populations and communities

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

mch.govt.nz

mpp.govt.nz

Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections

Jeremy is Secretary for Corrections and Chief Executive of Ara Poutama Aotearoa Department of Corrections. Jeremy has held numerous roles since joining Corrections, including Deputy CE, General Manager of Finance, Technology and Commercial, and National Commissioner.

Commenced

February 2020

Sectors

Justice

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

corrections.govt.nz

Te Tai Ōhanga | The Treasury

Caralee is Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Executive of Te Tai Ōhanga the Treasury. Previously she worked as Managing Director at Technical and Further Education, New South Wales (NSW) and held several deputy secretary roles at the NSW Treasury. Caralee has also worked at the World Bank in Washington DC, the International Red Cross and the Boston Consulting Group.

Commenced

September 2019

Sectors

Central agencies

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

treasury.govt.nz

Toitū Te Whenua | Land Information New Zealand

 Adrienne is Secretary for Land Information and Chief Executive of Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zew Zealand. Adrienne has been appointed to January 2024 from her substantive role as Chief Executive of the Commerce Commission, a role she has held since 2018. Prior to this, Adrienne was the Deputy Chief Executive Corporate Governance and Information Group, Acting Deputy Chief Executive, Market Services and General Manager Resolution Services at the Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment (MBIE).  

Commenced

May 2023 

Sectors

Business

Environment

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Te Pae Aramahi Whakahaere Operations Development Board Chair

Website

linz.govt.nz

Te Tari Taake | Inland Revenue Department

Peter is the Commissioner and Chief Executive of Te Tari Taake Inland Revenue. He was previously COVID-19 system leader, on secondment from his substantive role as Secretary for Transport and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Transport, a position he held since 2016. He also previously served as Chief Executive, Land Information New Zealand, and Acting Secretary for Internal Affairs, Department of Internal Affairs. Before his chief executive roles, Peter was a Deputy Commissioner at Inland Revenue and a Deputy Secretary at the Treasury for 7 years.

Commenced

July 2022

Sectors

Business

Social

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

ird.govt.nz

Te Papa Atawhai | Department of Conservation

Penny is Director-General of Conservation at Te Papa Atawhai Department of Conservation. Before this role, Penny was Deputy Director-General for Biosecurity NZ and Deputy Director-General Policy and Trade at the Ministry for Primary Industries. Penny has worked across a range of areas of government, including the environment, economic development and social development.

Commenced

November 2021

Sectors

Environment

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

doc.govt.nz

Manatū Mō Te Taiao | Ministry for the Environment

James is the Secretary for the Environment and Chief Executive, Manatu Mo Te Taiao Ministry for the Environment and has spent much of his career in agencies with an environmental or natural resource focus. James’ previous roles are Chief Executive Officer at the Hawke’s Bay Regional Council and prior to this, he was the Group Manager Strategic Development responsible for regional planning. He has held senior roles in the Public Service including as Deputy Secretary (Sector Strategy) at the Ministry for the Environment and Director Strategy, Systems and Science Policy at the Ministry for Primary Industries (or the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry which it was called up to 2012). 

Commenced

March 2023 

Sectors

Environment

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

environment.govt.nz

Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga | Education Review Office

Nick is Chief Review Officer and Chief Executive of Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga Education Review Office. He was previously the Deputy Chief Executive for the Ministry of Social Development, and spent time heading up special education services at the Ministry of Education. He has also served as Deputy Secretary with the Victorian State Department of Education and Training.

Commenced

June 2017

Sectors

Education

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

ero.govt.nz

Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development

Debbie is Secretary for Social Development and Chief Executive of Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora Ministry of Social Development. She began her career on the frontline of the Public Service when she was 16 years old. Since then she has held a range of senior roles at Ministry of Social Development including Deputy Chief Executive, Service Delivery; Deputy Chief Executive, Office of the Chief Executive; and Regional Commissioner, Northland. She was previously the Statutory Deputy State Services Commissioner at the then State Services Commission (now Public Service Commission).

Commenced

February 2019

Sectors

Housing

Populations and communities

Social

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Regional lead

Website

msd.govt.nz

Te Puni Kōkiri – Ministry of Māori Development

Dave (Waikato-Tainui, Te Whakatōhea) is Secretary for Māori Development and Chief Executive of Te Puni Kōkiri. Prior to this role, Dave was growing trade and market access in New Zealand’s primary industries in the Middle East and Asia and also lead the Policy unit at Te Puni Kōkiri. His career began as an infantry officer in the New Zealand Army.

Commenced

September 2019

Sectors

Populations and communities

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Māori Crown Relations

Website

tpk.govt.nz

Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health

Diana is Director-General of Health and Chief Executive of Manatū Hauora Ministry of Health. Previously she was Chief Executive of Te Aho o Te Kahu Cancer Control Agency. Before that role, Diana was Head of the Department of Public Health, and Director of the Cancer and Chronic Conditions research group at University of Otago, Wellington. She has led a large body of research relating to disparities in cancer outcomes. 

Commenced

July 2022

Sectors

Border

Health

Social

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

health.govt.nz

Public Service Commission | Te Kawa Mataaho

Gaye is Deputy Public Service Commissioner at Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission. Gaye has been appointed until January 2024 from her substantive role as Secretary for Land Information and Chief Executive, Toitū Te Whenua Land Information New Zealand, a role she has held from 2019. Prior to her role at Toitū Te Whenua, Gaye was a Deputy Commissioner at IRD and held senior roles at agencies including ACC, MBIE and the Ministry of Economic Development (as it was then called).  

Commenced  

March 2023 

Sectors

Central agencies

Website

publicservice.govt.nz

Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Chris is Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Chief Executive of Manatū Aorere Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Previously, he served 5 years as New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Australia, and prior to that was Deputy Secretary for the Australia, Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa Group. Chris has also served as High Commissioner to Papua New Guinea, and has completed postings in Tehran, Canberra and London. Chris also spent some time in the Ministry of Defence as Deputy Secretary, Policy and Planning from 2004–2008. 

Commenced

February 2019

Sectors

Border

International and trade

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

mfat.govt.nz

Manatū Ahu Matua | Ministry for Primary Industries

Ray is Director-General of Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries. Prior to this role, Ray served as Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections and Deputy Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development’s Child, Youth and Family, now Oranga Tamariki.

Commenced

November 2018

Sectors

Border

Business

Environment

International and trade

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

mpi.govt.nz

Tatauranga Aotearoa | Stats NZ

Mark is Government Statistician and Chief Executive of Tatauranga Aotearoa Stats NZ. He also holds the role as Government Chief Data Steward, supporting government to realise the potential of data to improve wellbeing, while maintaining and building trust in its use. Mark’s previous roles include Deputy Chief Executive at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Deputy Chief Executive at Stats NZ.

Commenced

January 2020

Sectors

Central agencies

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Functional Lead (Chief Data Steward)

Digital Government Leadership Group 

Website

stats.govt.nz

Te Manatū Waka | Ministry of Transport

Audrey is Secretary for Transport and Chief Executive of Te Manatū Waka | Ministry of Transport. She is an experienced Public Service leader, having held senior roles at New Zealand Police, Ministry of Justice, and Treasury. Prior to this role she was Deputy Chief Executive at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. 

Commenced

December 2022 

Sectors

Border

Environment

International and trade

National security

Transport

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

transport.govt.nz

Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa | New Zealand Customs Service

Christine is Chief Executive and Comptroller of Customs of Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa New Zealand Customs Service, and Chair of the chief executive level of the Border Executive Board. Prior to joining Customs, Christine was Deputy Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections and Deputy Chief Executive at the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Social Development.

Commenced

January 2019

Sectors

Border

International and trade

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

customs.govt.nz

Oranga Tamariki | Oranga Tamariki Ministry for Children

Chappie is Secretary for Children and Chief Executive of Oranga Tamariki Ministry for Children. Prior to this role, he was Head of System Assurance and Continuous Improvement in the COVID-19 group at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. He has also served as Assistant Commissioner at the Public Service Commission.

Commenced

October 2021

Sectors

Justice

Social 

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Website

orangatamariki.govt.nz

Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment

Carolyn is Secretary for Business, Innovation and Employment and Chief Executive of Hīkina Whakatutuki Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Prior to this role, she was Chief Executive and Comptroller of New Zealand Customs Service, and Deputy Commissioner Service Delivery and Deputy Commissioner People, Capabilities and Governance at Inland Revenue.

Commenced

July 2017

Sectors

Border

Business

International and trade

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Te Pae Aramahi o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Development Board Chair

Property lead

Procurement lead

Website

mbie.govt.nz

Te Tira Tiaki | Government Communications Security Bureau

Bridget is the Director-General and Chief Executive of the Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) and the Government Chief Information Security Officer. Bridget’s former roles include as Deputy Director-General Strategy, Performance and Governance at the GCSB and Deputy Chief Executive of the COVID-19 Health Response Directorate, part of the Ministry of Health. Bridget has held senior leadership roles at the State Services Commission (now Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission) and at the Department of Corrections, where she was National Health Manager and Director, Capability.  

Commenced

April 2023 

Sectors

National security

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui Public Service Leadership Team

Information security lead

Website

gcsb.govt.nz

Te Arawhiti | Te Arawhiti Office for Māori Crown Relations

Lil is the Chief Executive of Te Arawhiti Office of Māori Crown Relations with a deep understanding of the Māori Crown journey. Previously Lil was Deputy Secretary, Treaty at the Ministry of Justice and Chief Advisor and Deputy Chief Executive, Policy at Te Puni Kōkiri. She has held managerial roles at the Office of Treaty Settlements and the Crown Forestry Rental Trust, beginning her career at the New Zealand Māori Council.  

Commenced  

December 2019  

Sectors

Central agencies

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui | Public Service Leadership Team

Māori Crown Relations

Website

tearawhiti.govt.nz

Te Rākau Whakamarumaru | National Emergency Management Agency

David is Chief Executive of Te Rākau Whakamarumaru National Emergency Management Agency. Previously he was Chief Executive of the Pike River Recovery Agency, Head of Mission and Chief of Staff at the United Nations Truce Supervision Organisation and served as Chief of Army and Commander Joint Forces in the New Zealand Defence Force.

Commenced

January 2018

Sectors

Emergency

Website

civildefence.govt.nz

Toi Hau Tāngata | Social Wellbeing Agency

Renee (Ngāti Toa and Ngāti Raukawa) is Chief Executive of Toi Hau Tāngata the Social Wellbeing Agency. Previously Renee was the Secretary for Women and Chief Executive of the Ministry for Women and held senior policy roles at the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Social Development. Renee started her career as a frontline case manager at Work and Income. 

Commenced

June 2021 Toi Hau Tāngata Social Wellbeing Agency

Sectors

Social

Central agencies

Leadership groups

Te Pae Aramahi Rangatōpū | Corporate Development Board Chair

Website

swa.govt.nz

publicservice.govt.nz

Te Aho o Te Kahu | Cancer Control Agency

  

Nicola is the Chief Executive of Te Aho o Te Kahu Cancer Control Agency. Previously she was General Manager of Te Aho o Te Kahu in 2019, and held roles at the Ministry of Health, including Acting Group Manager of the Strategy Group, Manager of Investment Approach, Strategy and Policy and as Senior Advisor to the Director-General of Health.

Commenced

July 2022

Sectors

Health

Website

teaho.govt.nz

Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor

Arran is the Independent Monitor of the Oranga Tamariki System and Chief Executive, Aroturuki Tamariki - Independent Children’s Monitor established as a departmental agency in May 2023. Arran was previously the Executive Director of the predecessor agency, the Independent Children’s Monitor, since April 2020. Arran was previously the Head of Privacy at ACC and held two senior positions in the Ministry of Social Development as Workstream Lead, Strategic Partnering, Investing in Children Programme and National Manager, Partnerships and Programmes.  

Commenced 

May 2023 

Te Tari Mātāwaka | Ministry for Ethnic Communities

Mervin is Chief Executive of Te Tari Mātāwaka Ministry for Ethnic Communities. Previously he led the Office of Ethnic Affairs and was Executive Director of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions. Mervin has worked in several senior leadership roles at the Department of Internal Affairs, as Chief Mediator at the Human Rights Commission and as Complaints Manager at the Office of the Race Relations Conciliator.

 Appointed

June 2021

Sectors

Populations and communities

Leadership groups

Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui  | Public Service Leadership Team

Website

ethniccommunities.govt.nz

Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People

Paula is Chief Executive of Whaikaha — Ministry of Disabled People. Previously Paula held the position of Disability Rights Commissioner and Acting Chief Human Rights Commissioner at the Human Rights Commission. Prior to this she was General Manager, System and Partnerships at Stats NZ, General Manager, High Courts at the Ministry of Justice, and Manager, Service Design at the Ministry of Justice. Paula has served in various governance roles including as Deputy Chair of Peke Waihanga — Artificial Limb Service and Deputy Chair of Nuku Ora (previously Sport Wellington) and she served on the Board of Paralympics NZ. She is a life trustee of the Halberg Disability Sport Foundation and is an honorary advisor to the Asia New Zealand Foundation. Paula is also a Paralympian, winning a gold medal and 2 bronze medals at the 2008 Summer Paralympic Games in Beijing.

Appointed

August 2022

Sector

Populations and communities

Website

whaikaha.govt.nz