Deputy Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggott today announced Iain Rennie CNZM has been appointed to the position of Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Executive, the Treasury.
The Secretary to the Treasury leads and oversees New Zealand’s public finance system and is the principal economic advisor to the Minister of Finance and the Government.
“I am very pleased to appoint Mr Rennie to this pivotal public service role,” said Ms Baggott.
“Mr Rennie is an accomplished economist and a respected public service leader with extensive experience in economic policy, fiscal management, and public sector reform.”
Mr Rennie is a consultant economist with a focus on public sector strategic design. He is also currently the Treasury’s Independent Chair, Financial Statements of Government Audit Committee. Mr Rennie is a former State Services Commissioner and has previously held a number of roles at the Treasury, including Deputy Secretary, Regulatory and Tax Policy Branch, and Deputy Secretary, Budget and Macroeconomic Branch.
In his most recent role at the Treasury, Mr Rennie provided independent advice and assurance to the former Secretary to the Treasury, and the current acting secretary, on the preparation of the government’s financial statements.
Ms Baggott said Mr Rennie has a deep understanding of New Zealand’s financial system and macroeconomics and is well positioned to build credibility as the public service’s chief financial officer.
“Mr Rennie is well connected with key parts of the New Zealand economy, including business and political leaders and commentators,” said Ms Baggott.
“He is well qualified for the role and has served successive governments on both sides of the political fence.”
Mr Rennie holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), majoring in economics, from Victoria University of Wellington. He was awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 2017 for services to the state.
He has been appointed for five years from 18 November 2024 to 17 November 2029.
Biography
Since November 2021, Mr Rennie has been the Independent Chair, Financial Statements of Government Audit Committee, at the Treasury.
Mr Rennie has been a consultant economist and consultant in public sector strategic design since 2016.
From 2008 to 2016 he led the public service in the role of State Services Commissioner. Before this, he was Deputy State Services Commissioner (2007–2008).
For four years (2003–2007) Mr Rennie was the Treasury’s Deputy Secretary, Regulatory and Tax Policy Branch.
From 1997 to 2003 he was the Treasury’s Deputy Secretary, Budget and Macroeconomic Branch.
He was a manager in the Treasury’s budget management branch (1994–1997) and in 1993–94 he was a manager in the Treasury’s fiscal analysis section.
Mr Rennie was an economic advisor at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, on secondment from the Treasury, from 1990 to 1993. During this time, he provided economic advice to then Prime Minister the Rt Hon Jim Bolger. He was also seconded from the Treasury to work as economic advisor to Mr Bolger when he was Leader of the Opposition (1989–1990).
Mr Rennie started his public service career at the Treasury in 1986 when he joined as an economic and financial analyst in the agency’s budget and macroeconomic branch.
Mr Rennie holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), majoring in economics, from Victoria University of Wellington. He was awarded the Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) in 2017 for services to the state.
Media queries: Grahame Armstrong 021 940 457 or grahame.armstrong@publicservice.govt.nz
