Heads of profession provide leadership of professional groups across the Public Service. This includes convening professional networks, building capability through professional development, and providing best-practice guidance for members of the profession. Heads of profession are designated by the Public Service Commissioner. Some heads of profession are secretaries of departments, while others are held by second tier leaders with closer affiliations to the profession.

Current heads of profession include:

Policy

The Head of the Policy Profession is responsible for improving the policy system - that is its capabilities, systems, processes, and standards – and thereby helping improve the outcomes that they contribute to. These include higher quality policy advice, better government decisions, and better outcomes for people in New Zealand. Responsibility for the content of advice on specific policy issues remains with relevant government departments and their chief executives.

More information can be found here.

  • Rebecca Kitteridge, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Tari o te Pirīmia me te Komiti Matua | Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Chief Executive

    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

Legal (statutory role)

The Solicitor-General is the government's chief legal adviser and advocate in the courts. They also lead the Government Legal Network in collaboration with departmental Chief Legal Advisors. This network builds the capability of the public service legal profession and leverages the collective legal resources and expertise of the Crown to support the government in the lawful delivery of services to New Zealanders.

More information can be found here.

Finance

The Head of the Government Finance Profession aims to lift strategic financial management practices and capability across the system. This means integrating strategy, planning and performance to ensure value is at the heart of everything we do. It enables smart decisions that maximise value for money and outcomes for New Zealanders. 

New Zealand Treasury

Internal Audit and Risk Assurance

Responsible for raising the profile, importance and expectations of internal audit and risk assurance functions with Secretaries, Chief Executives, Crown Agency Boards and their Audit Committees.

James Jong – Chief Internal Auditor
Ministry of Education

Communications

Gillon Carruthers, Deputy Director – General Public Affairs
Ministry for Primary Industries