Changing of the guard: The changing face of the top echelons of the public service

Saturday, 22 February 2025

The changing of the guard in the public service. Clockwise from top left: In, Matt Crockett; Out, Dr Diana Sarfati; In, Iain Rennie; In, Rebecca Kitteridge; Out, Mark Sowden; Out, Margie Apa.

With a change of Government comes a change in its service.

A sweeping overhaul from the top led by new Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche and new Minister Judith Collins is under way, but it’s a tier down where it is getting interesting.

This month there has been a major shake up - a full scrape down of the top tier in New Zealand’s health system, similar to a clear out at Kāinga Ora last year.

Meanwhile, despite the Government’s assertion of the importance of education, it seems it does not extend to timely appointments from the Public Service Commission for the top education boss. It was known in July that Iona Holsted’s term was coming to an end in December last year, and she stepped down early due to family circumstances in October. Despite the large lead-in time, there’s still no one at the top.

Dr Diana Sarfati, front left, with University of Waikato Vice-Chancellor Professor Neil Quigley. Dr Shane Reti, and PM Chris Luxon behind, in February 2024.

The Public Service Commission has its work cut out for it, and is on a hiring spree for multiple other new bosses across the public sector.

Health

Some of the most public changeover fallouts have been from leadership in the health sector - Dr Diana Sarfati resigned on Friday as director-general health, less than half-way through her five-year term. Secretary of Transport Audrey Sonerson will be taking up the vacant director-general of Health position for two weeks until a longer-term acting appointment is made.

Kainga Ora chief executive Matt Crockett took over last year.

Sarfati’s resignation was one week after Margie Apa resigned as chief executive of Health New Zealand - Te Whatu Ora, and less than a month after Dr Shane Reti was replaced with Simeon Brown as health minister, while a commissioner remains in place of a board at Te Whatu Ora.

Treasury Secretary and chief executive Iain Rennie last year.

Multiple other health leaders have also left, including director of public health Nicholas Jones, several executive leaders at Te Whatu Ora, and Riana Manuel, the former head of the now defunct Te Aka Whai Ora - Māori Health Authority.

Kāinga Ora

Mark Sowden, the outgoing chief executive of Stats NZ, and the Government Statistician.

Following a highly critical report from Sir Bill English, which said Kāinga Ora’s performance was deteriorating and its ability to maintain and renew its assets was at risk, chief executive Andrew McKenzie resigned last year, replaced by business leader Matt Crockett for a year to September, 2025.

Simon Moutter was made chair a month earlier, and there was also a clear out of most of its board.

Treasury

Iain Rennie, the former States Services Commissioner and former adviser to Jim Bolger, landed the top job with the Treasury late last year, as the Government’s principal economic adviser.

He replaced Dr Caralee McLiesh, who returned to Australia when her contract ended in September and she took up the job of Australia’s auditor-general.

Stats NZ

Mark Sowden, the chief statistician, ended his tenure in January but was in the acting position when it was announced he’d decided to not seek re-appointment on Tuesday.

That followed the release of the findings of a damning report into allegations that census data collected by Manurewa Marae was misused to help Te Pāti Māori’s election campaign.

An inquiry had found there were flaws in Stats NZ’s protection of public data.

Waka Kotahi

Rebecca Kitteridge, formerly of SIS, now deputy Public Service Commissioner.

Waka Kotahi chief executive Nicole Rosie left at the end of her term this year, with its group general manager Brett Gliddon now acting.

Te Arawhiti

Lil Anderson left as chief executive at the end of 2024, with Anaru Mill now in the acting role until June 30.

Leadership merry-go-round

The Public Service has been known for its continual shuffle, leaders jumping from one agency to another.

Early last year, Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) deputy chief executive of policy, Ben King, landed the role of head of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC).

He took over from Rebecca Kitteridge, now deputy Public Service Commissioner, who was the acting secretary for a year after heading up the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service.

Before Kitteridge, Brook Barrington, who now leads the Ministry of Defence from mid-2024, was DPMC’s head, after he led MFAT.

Bede Corry took over as MFAT chief executive last year.

Barrington replaced Andrew Bridgman, who was ex secretary of Defence and secretary for Justice. Bridgman has been the chief executive at Oranga Tamariki since September last year while Chappie Te Kani undergoes medical treatment.

Meanwhile Andrew Coster, former Police Commissioner, became the chief executive of the new Social Investment Agency in November 2024, and was replaced at police by Richard Chambers.

Gráinne Moss is in the newly formed position of chief executive of the Ministry of Regulation until September 2029. Moss resigned as head of Oranga Tamariki in 2021.