11 September 2023
Ross Browne
[FYI request #23918 email]
Dear Ross
Official Information Request
Our Ref: OIA 2023-0182
I refer to your official information request received on 22 August 2023 for:
“Please provide a list of al  senior leadership appointments that are subject to a
recommendation by the PSC, and the date when the term of the incumbent ends”.
Our Response
Under the Public Service Act 2020, the Public Service Commissioner (the Commissioner) is
responsible for the appointment of chief executives of Public Service departments, departmental
agencies and functional chief executives.
Since 2018, Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission (the Commission) has been publicly
releasing Chief Executive appointment papers as part of our business-as-usual practice. These
appointment papers can be found on the Commission’s website here.
Information being released
Outlined in the table below are the current  Public Service Chief Executives,  listed by the Chief
Executive, Agency, who recommended the appointment and the term end date.,
Name
Agency
Recommended by
Term End Date
Mr Chris Seed
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
Public Service
31 January 2024
Trade
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Mr Andrew Bridgman
Ministry of Defence
Service
30 June 2024
Commissioner
Ms Rebecca Kitteridge
Department of Prime Minister and
Public Service
30 June 2024
Cabinet
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Ms Renee Graham
Social Wellbeing Agency
Service
18 July 2024
Commissioner
Level 10, RBNZ Building |   2 The Terrace | PO Box 329
Wel ington 6140 | New Zealand
Phone +64 4 495 6600

Name
Agency
Recommended by
Term End Date
Dr Caralee McLiesh
Treasury
Public Service
15 September 2024
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Mr Dave Samuels
Te Puni Kokiri
Service
15 September 2024
Commissioner
Public Service
4 December 2024
Ms Iona Holsted
Ministry of Education
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Ms Lil Anderson
Te Arawhiti
Service
1 December 2024
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Mr Mark Sowden
Statistics New Zealand
Service
20 January 2025
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Ms Katrina Casey
Cyclone Recovery
Service
15 March 2025
Commissioner
Mr Nick Pole
Education Review Office
Public Service
20 June 2025
Commissioner
Mr Chappie Te Kani
Oranga Tamariki
Public Service
30 September 2025
Commissioner
Business, Innovation and
Public Service
Ms Carolyn Tremain
Employment
Commissioner
30 September 2025
Deputy Public
Mr Mervin Singham
Ministry for Ethnic Communities
Service
30 June 2026
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Ms Karen Chang
Serious Fraud Office
Service
25 April 2026
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Mr Arran Jones
Independent Children’s Monitor
Service
3 May 2026
Commissioner
National Emergency Management
Deputy Public
Mr Dave Gawn
Service
Agency
31 August 2026
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Ms Penny Nelson
Department of Conservation
Service
31 October 2026
Commissioner

Name
Agency
Recommended by
Term End Date
Ministry of Housing and Urban
Deputy Public
Mr Andrew Crisp
Development
Service
2 May 2027
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Service
Mr Andrew Kibblewhite
Ministry of Justice
Commissioner
2 May 2027
Public Service
Ms Christine Stevenson
NZ Customs
30 June 2027
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Service
Mr Ray Smith
Ministry for Primary Industries
Commissioner
30 June 2027
Deputy Public
Mr Peter Mersi
Inland Revenue Department
Service
30 June 2027
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Mr Paul James
Department of Internal Affairs
Service
30 June 2027
Commissioner
Public Service
Ms Debbie Power
Ministry of Social Development
Commissioner
1 August 2027
Deputy Public
Ms Paula Tesoriero
Ministry for Disabled People
Service
31 August 2027
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Mr Leauanae Laulu Mac
Ministry of Culture and Heritage
Service
16 October 2027
Leauanae
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Ms Kellie Coombes
Ministry for Women
Service
25 October 2027
Commissioner
Public Service
Dr Diana Sarfati
Ministry of Health
30 November 2027
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Ms Audrey Sonerson
Ministry of Transport
Service
11 December 2027
Commissioner
Ms Gerardine Clifford-
Deputy Public
Service
Lidstone
Ministry for Pacific Peoples
31 January 2028
Commissioner

Name
Agency
Recommended by
Term End Date
Deputy Public
Mr James Palmer
Ministry for the Environment
Service
29 February 2028
Commissioner
Public Service
Mr Jeremy Lightfoot
Department of Corrections
Commissioner
29 February 2028
New Zealand Security Intelligence
Deputy Public
Mr Andrew Hampton
Service
Service
16 April 2028
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Mr Rami Rahal
Cancer Control Agency
Service
9 July 2028
Commissioner
Mr Andrew Clark
Government Communications
Public Service
29 October 2028
Security Bureau
Commissioner
Deputy Public
Ms Adrienne Meikle
Land Information New Zealand
Service
(Acting)
Commissioner
If you wish to discuss this decision with us, please feel free to contact
[email address].
You have the right to seek an investigation and review by the Ombudsman of this decision.
Information about how to make a complaint is available at www.ombudsman.parliament.nz or
freephone 0800 802 602.
Please note that we intend to publish this letter (with your personal details removed) on the Te Kawa
Mataaho Public Service Commission’s website.
Yours sincerely
Nicky Dirks
Manager – Ministerial and Executive Services
Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission

Document Outline