Spirit of Service Awards 2023

Te Tohu a te Pirimia Prime Minister’s Award

Rt Hon Chris Hipkins announced the Prime Minister’s Award which is selected from the winners of the Better Outcomes, Service Excellence, Māori Crown Relationships, Excellence in Public Policy and Leadership in Governance categories.

This year, the Prime Minister’s Award was presented to one of the joint winners of the Service Excellence Category.

Better cyber security outcomes through partnership with industry

Te Tira Tiaki | Government Communications Security Bureau’s National Cyber Security Centre with Advantage NZ, Cassini, CyberCX, Datacom, Defend NZ, Inde, InPhySec, The Instillery, SSS, Kordia, Liquid IT, One NZ, Spark NZ and Unify Solutions

A service collaboration providing near real-time threat intelligence and strengthening New Zealand’s cyber defence capabilities.

Te Tohu Oranga Angitū Lifetime Achievement Award

Raewyn Sowter

Rae epitomises the essence of a spirit of service to the community. At the heart of everything she does is the desire and determination to give back to her community and anyone who needs support and care.

A respected and influential leader, Rae possesses the ability to draw out the true potential of others and guide them to success. Best described as a ‘champion for Kaipara’ her mahi is woven through with manaaki for everyone she meets. Rae started her public service career as a case manager for the New Zealand Income Support Service. She has had many roles in between but the frontline and her community has been her calling.

Proudly of Te Roroa descent, Rae lives and leads with integrity, humility, elegance and best of all, a sense of humour. She has clear goals and aspirations and is widely recognised as a true leader in her community. It is not surprising that she is loved and respected by all who know her in personal and professional settings.

Rae is mum of four and nanny to fourteen mokopuna who are her pride and joy. Rae is active in her community as:

Vice Chair of Greenways Trust, a charitable trust providing residential and support for disabled people.

The treasurer for her marae Matatina, in Waipoua
A marriage celebrant who is called on to officiate both weddings and tangi for whānau across Tai Tokerau.
Kaitiaki, Rae has provided a pathway to taiao jobs with the Kaipara Moana Remediation programme.

“Living and working in the community is really important to me as it is the heart of the people we serve and gives you a sense of what impacts on them as individuals and whānau. What matters to them, is what should matter to us all.”

Te Tohu mō ngā Hua E Pai Ake Ana Better Outcomes Award

Proudly sponsored by Deloitte

Winner

New Zealand-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement

Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade

New Zealand’s most comprehensive free trade agreement to date, building strong trade and investment ties with the United Kingdom.

Finalists

Healthy Active Learning and Tapuwaekura

Ihi Aotearoa | Sport New Zealand (Sport and Recreation New Zealand), Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand, Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health, Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education, Ngā Pākura, Aktive, Active Southland, Sport Bay of Plenty, Sport Canterbury, Sport Gisborne Tairāwhiti, Sport Hawkes Bay, Sport Manawatu, Sport Northland, Nuku Ora, Sport Otago, Sport Taranaki, Sport Tasman, Sport Waikato, Sport Whanganui

A locally led initiative supporting schools and kura to improve the wellbeing of tamariki and rangatahi through healthy eating and drinking, and quality physical activity.

M.Bovis Eradication

Manatū Ahu Matua | Ministry for Primary Industries, Beef + Lamb New Zealand and DairyNZ

New Zealand’s biggest biosecurity response to eradicate the bacterial disease, protecting biosecurity, rural communities and the farming sector.

Te Tohu mō te Ratonga Whakahirahira Service Excellence Award

Proudly sponsored by Westpac

Joint winners

Two finalists have been chosen as joint winners of Te Tohu mō te Ratonga Whakahirahira | Service Excellence Award. They both capture the breadth of work going on across the public sector to serve current and future generations.

28^th Māori Battalion Unclaimed Medals Kaupapa

Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa | New Zealand Defence Force, Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development, Te Arawhiti | Office for Māori Crown Relations, Te Tira Ahu Ika A Whiro | Veterans’ Affairs and Te Mata Law

Returning the medals rightfully earned by the 28th Māori Battalion soldiers to their whānau, bringing a sense of closure and restoring mana.

Better cyber security outcomes through partnership with industry

Te Tira Tiaki | Government Communications Security Bureau’s National Cyber Security Centre with Advantage NZ, Cassini, CyberCX, Datacom, Defend NZ, Inde, InPhySec, The Instillery, SSS, Kordia, Liquid IT, One NZ, Spark NZ and Unify Solutions

Service collaboration providing near real-time threat intelligence and strengthening NZ’s cyber defence capabilities.

Finalists

The Kea Project

Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections

An innovative service model that uses spatial design, visit enhancements and kaitiaki to make a more safe and positive experience for kids visiting their parents who are incarcerated.

Resilience and Climate Change Key Dataset Improvement Programme

Toitū Te Whenua | Land Information New Zealand, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, Tatauranga Aotearoa | Stats NZ, Taihoro Nukurangi | NIWA, KiwiRail Holdings Limited, Waka Kotahi | New Zealand Transport Agency, Local Government Geospatial Alliance (LGGA) and Geospatial Emergency Management Aotearoa (GEMA)

A service providing a single, authoritative source of data for effective emergency planning, disaster risk reductions, efficient emergency response and managed recovery.

Te Tohu mō te Tūhonotanga a Ngāi Māori me te Karauna Māori Crown Relationships Award

Proudly sponsored by DXC Technology

Joint Winners

Two finalists have been chosen as joint winners of Te Tohu mō te Tūhonotanga a Ngāi Māori me te Karauna | Māori Crown Relationships Award. Both capture the evolution and strengthening of the Māori Crown Relationship.

Tūhoe-Crown Relationship

Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Uru Taumatua, Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development, Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health, Te Arawhiti | Office for Māori Crown Relations, Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education, Oranga Tamariki | Ministry for Children, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga | Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment and Te Papa Atawhai | Department of Conservation

The signing of He Tapuae (Tūhoe Service Management Plan) in 2021 signifying the Crown commitment to deliver on the aspirations of Ngāi Tūhoe.

Whai Kāinga Whai Oranga Māori Housing Prototypes

Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga | Ministry of Housing and Urban Development and Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development

A four-year commitment to creating meaningful change in the future of housing and empowering Māori to determine the best approach for their communities.

Finalist

Kānoa Marae Renovation Programme

Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development and Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment

Enabling the restoration and refurbishment of Marae across the motu and enhancing opportunities within communities.

Te Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Mahi Whakahaere Leadership in Governance Award

Proudly sponsored by ANZSOG

Winner

Border Executive Board

Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa | New Zealand Customs Service, Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health, Manatū Ahu Matua | Ministry for Primary Industries, Te Manatū Waka | Ministry of Transport

An interdepartmental executive board delivering an integrated and effective system that enables the prosperity and security of New Zealand through a safe and smart border.

Finalists

Climate Interdepartmental Executive Board

Manatū Mō Te Taiao | Ministry for the Environment, Te Tai Ōhanga | The Treasury, Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, Manatū Ahu Matua | Ministry for Primary Industries, Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga | Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission | Te Waihanga, Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs and Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development

Strategic leadership from Climate DCEs addressing complex climate issues with implications for future generations of New Zealanders.

The Reform of Vocational Education Programme Board

Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission, Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education, Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa | New Zealand Qualifications Authority

A cross-system board delivering complex system change in vocational education.

Te Tohu mō te Hiranga o te Mahi Kaupapa Here Excellence in Public Policy Award

Winner

Equity Index Project

Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education and Tatauranga Aotearoa | Stats NZ

A complex, multi-workstream system shift and investment to support ākonga facing socio-economic barriers to educational achievement.

Finalists

Building Stewardship to Fight Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism

Te Tāhū o te Ture | Ministry of Justice, Ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa | New Zealand Police and Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs

A new inclusive co-design approach to improving the integrity of New Zealand’s financial system and long-term system stewardship.

Resource Management Reform

Collaborative and ambitious reform aimed at transforming the way we manage the environment.

Russia sanctions effort following the invasion of Ukraine

Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Te Tari Ture o te Karauna | Crown Law Office, Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs, Te Mana Tātai Hokohoko | Financial Markets Authority, Toitū Te Whenua | Land Information New Zealand, Manatū Ahu Matua | Ministry for Primary Industries, Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment, Immigration New Zealand, Te Manatū Waka | Ministry of Transport New Zealand Police, Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa | New Zealand Customs Service, Te Rōpū Pārongo Tārehu o Aotearoa | New Zealand Intelligence Community, Te Tari Tohutohu Pāremata | Parliamentary Counsel Office and Te Pūtea Matua | Reserve Bank of New Zealand

A rapid, multi-agency response addressing complex international tensions to protect New Zealanders and international partners.

Te Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Rangatahi o te Tau Young Leader of the Year

Proudly sponsored by Victoria University of Wellington School of Government

Winner

Saunoa (Noa) Samasoni

Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities

Senior Project Manager, PM Leads, Auckland Flood Recovery – Property and Affected Household

Saunoa is dependable and grounded in her core Pacific values. Noa embodies the ability to lead and navigate uncertainty with poise and determination.

Finalists

Fatumata Bah

Te Tari Mātāwaka | Ministry for Ethnic Communities

Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Advisor, Health Engagement Lead

Fatumata leads with tenacity, courage, and humility. She is passionate about supporting migrants and refugee youth to fully participate in society – at a local, national and global level.

Oliver Szabo

Te Tāhū o te Ture | Ministry of Justice

Advisor, Health, Safety and Security

Oliver is a genuine and engaging leader, dedicated to fostering inclusive spaces. He is an active advocate for disability issues and wants to ensure all people are taken care of.

Suraj (Sam) Malage

Manatū Ahu Matua | Ministry for Primary Industries

Principal Advisor Strategic Events

A natural collaborator and networker, Sam leads many of MPI’s education, career and engagement opportunities. He is an advocate for diversity and encourages youth into the primary sector.

Ngā Pae Kaiwhakawā Judging Panels

Ngā Hoa-Toihau | Co-chairs

Thor Gudjonsson
Kaikōmihana Tuarua, Te Aromātai Whakatutukitanga | Deputy Commissioner, System & Agency Performance
Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission
Thor is a highly engaged leader driving improved performance and system change across the Public Service. Thor previously served as Chief Financial Officer for a number of Government Departments. He has been a Deputy Commissioner at Te Kawa Mataaho since October 2021.

Renee Graham
Ngāti Toa and Ngāti Raukawa
Te Tumu Whakahaere | Chief Executive
Toi Hau Tāngata | Social Wellbeing Agency
Renee is an experienced leader and has worked across social policy, education, and employment. She has been instrumental in the fight for eliminating gender pay gaps, increasing women leadership in the public and private sector, and continues to advocate for change across social policy. Renee holds Master of Public Policy (with merit) and Bachelor of Commerce and Administration degrees from Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington.
Te Tohu mō ngā Hua E Pai Ake Ana | Better Outcomes Award

Ezra Schuster
Te Pou Kōtui ā-Rohe o Te Ratonga Tūmatanui | Regional Public Service Commissioner and Partnerships Director, Across Government
Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health
Ezra has an extensive background in community development especially with Pasifika communities in Aotearoa and across the Pacific region, youth work and the not-for-profit sector with almost two decades working in the public service in senior leadership roles.  Alongside his role as a Partnership Director with Manatū Hauora where he works to strengthen Health’s relationships and partnerships across Government, Ezra is also the Regional Public Service Commissioner for the Bay of Plenty-Waiariki. In 2022 Ezra was part of the cross-agency team that won Te Tohu a te Pirimia | The Prime Minister’s Award, for the Care in the Community Welfare Response to COVID-19. Ezra is a proud Aotearoa-born Samoan and hails from the villages of Faleapuna, Fogapoa (Safotulafai) and Matautu (Lefaga), and is a proud husband and father of five children.

Cheryl Barnes
Special Advisor
Te Tari o Te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Cheryl formerly served as Deputy Chief Executive, DPMC COVID-19 Response Group and played a key role in the all-of-government response. She provided timely and robust advice that kept New Zealanders safe. Cheryl has held a range of roles across the Public Service in the environmental, social and financial sectors. She holds a Masters in Public Policy, Bachelor of Arts (Hons.), History and attended Harvard Business School. In 2022 Cheryl was a recipient of the New Zealand Public Service Medal.
Te Tohu mō te Ratonga Whakahirahira | Service Excellence Award

Steph Voight
Te Pou Kōtui ā-Rohe o Te Ratonga Tūmatanui | Regional Public Service Commissioner
Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | The Ministry of Social Development
Steph is an active leader across the Public Service, driven to improve outcomes for Southland communities. Steph holds valuable insights from her experience in social development and the justice system. She is passionate about uplifting Māori hapori and rangitahi across Otago and Southland. Steph holds a Bachelor of Arts (Political Science) and an Executive Masters in Public Administration from Australia New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG).

Michael Dreyer
Director Sector Digital Channels
Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand
Michael is a leader dedicated to delivering digital solutions for the betterment of New Zealanders. During the Covid pandemic Michael led the delivery of technology for the Health response including Contact Tracing, Border, Vaccination, Testing and Care in the community and was awarded a Public Service Medal for his contribution. Prior to health he worked for ten years at Contact Energy, finishing as Acting General Manager ICT where he lead a migration to cloud services to enable the digitisation of the retail business.  A Master of Forestry Science graduate from Canterbury University, he spent his early career running digital transformations in London and also driving superyachts in the Mediterranean.
Te Tohu mō te Tūhonotanga a Ngāi Māori me te Karauna | Māori Crown Relationships Award

Ezra Schuster
Te Pou Kōtui ā-Rohe o Te Ratonga Tūmatanui | Regional Public Service Commissioner and Partnerships Director, Across Government
Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health
Ezra has an extensive background in community development especially with Pasifika communities in Aotearoa and across the Pacific region, youth work and the not-for-profit sector with almost two decades working in the public service in senior leadership roles.  Alongside his role as a Partnership Director with Manatū Hauora where he works to strengthen Health’s relationships and partnerships across Government, Ezra is also the Regional Public Service Commissioner for the Bay of Plenty-Waiariki. In 2022 Ezra was part of the cross-agency team that won Te Tohu a te Pirimia | The Prime Minister’s Award, for the Care in the Community Welfare Response to COVID-19. Ezra is a proud Aotearoa-born Samoan and hails from the villages of Faleapuna, Fogapoa (Safotulafai) and Matautu (Lefaga), and is a proud husband and father of five children.

Grace Smit
Ngāti Rakaipaaka, Ngāti Matangirau
Deputy Secretary Strategy, Finance & Performance
Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development
Grace is a transformative leader, committed to the wellbeing of Māori whanau and communities. With more than 20 years’ experience, Grace has held leadership roles across the Public Service and was former Director of the Waitangi Tribunal and Māori Land Court at the Ministry of Justice. She has extensive experience in policy, operational and service design areas. Grace holds a Masters of New Zealand History from the University of Auckland.
Te Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Mahi Whakahaere | Leadership in Governance Award

Kirsten Patterson
Chief Executive
Institute of Directors
Kirsten Patterson (known as KP) has extensive governance and leadership experience. A strong advocate of diversity, KP was one of the founding members of Global Women’s ‘Champions for Change’, a group of senior executives and directors who commit to diversity in the workplace. She is also a founding member of WiSPA, an organisation promoting women in sport, Co-Deputy Chair of the Global Network of Director Institutes (GNDI) and mentors several business leaders. KP is a qualified lawyer and a Distinguished Fellow of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand.

Dame Karen Poutasi DNZM
Board Member, Te Whatu Ora Health New Zealand
Chair, Taumata Arowai
Chair, Kāpuhipuhi | Wellington University Professional
Dame Karen Poutasi is a dedicated leader with extensive experience across the Public Service. She brings a wealth of knowledge to her current governance roles as a former Director General of Health, Chief Executive of NZQA and Commissioner for the Waikato District Health Board. Karen was appointed Dame Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2020.

Tipa Mahuta
Waikato, Maniapoto, Ngāpuhi
Elected Representative, Waikato Regional Council
Co-Chair, Waikato River Authority
Chair, Te Puna, Taumata Arowai
Chair, Te Aka Whai Ora | Māori Health Authority
Tipa holds a wealth of knowledge in facilitation, research, policy, community development and Iwi governance. She has served on a wide range of iwi and community boards including Iwi Māori Council at the former Waikato DHB and Tainui Group Holdings. She also has experience in environmental governance, serving on the Waikato Conservancy. Tipa is committed to creating inclusive and responsive change, centering the voices of Māori in decision making.
Te Tohu mō te Hiranga o te Mahi Kaupapa Here | Excellence in Public Policy Award

Dr Anneliese Parkin
Deputy Chief Executive, Policy
Te Tari o Te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Anneliese has been running the Policy Advisory Group at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet since 2015.  The Policy Advisory Group coordinates the Government’s policy agenda and supports the Prime Minister in his role as chair of Cabinet.  Anneliese is also responsible for the Policy Project, a whole-of-government effort to improve policy capability. 

Peter Mersi
Kaikōmihana o Te Tari Taake | Commissioner and Chief Executive
Inland Revenue
Peter is the Commissioner and Chief Executive of Te Tari Taake Inland Revenue and Head of the Policy Profession. 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.
Te Tohu mō te Kaiārahi Rangatahi o te Tau | Young Leader of the Year

Mary Soonaoso Tiumalu
Manager, Language Strategy and Development
Te Manatū mō ngā Iwi ō te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa | Ministry for Pacific Peoples
Mary Soonaoso Tiumalu is a Young Leader creating real, long-lasting change for Pacific Communities. Mary has been instrumental in the policy development and leadership of the Pacific Languages Strategy 2022-2032, forging the way for generations to come. In 2022, Mary was the winner of the Young Leader of the Year Award and holds a Bachelors Degree, Law and Arts.

Mana Williams-Eade
Ngāti Rārua, Ngāti Toa Rangatira ki Wairau, Ngāpuhi
Co-Chair, VOYCE – Whakarongo Mai
Principal Advisor, Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand
Board Member, Ministerial Advisory Board
Oranga Tamariki | Ministry for Children
Mana is a Young Leader making a difference for tamariki across New Zealand. Mana played a key advisory role in MSD’s COVID-19 response, supporting whānau through isolation. In his work with Oranga Tamariki and VOYCE, Mana is dedicated to amplifying the voices of those in care, supporting robust reviews, and putting aroha at the centre of these childrens lives. Mana holds a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom, Public Policy Analysis & International Business) from Victoria University of Wellington.

Gayathiri Ganeshan
Director, Strategic Initiatives and Implementation, Employment Services
Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
Gayathiri is a Young Leader who is passionate about creating positive outcomes for the diverse communities of New Zealand. Gayathiri played a key role in the development of advice on the first lockdown and was an expert behind the essential services framework. She also helped set up managed isolation and quarantine, procure vaccines and clarify the law around employer vaccination requirements. Gayathiri has experience across the Public Service and holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Criminology and BA/LLB, Political Studies and Criminology.
Pou Tikanga | Cultural advisors

Piriwiritua Rurawhe
Te Iwi Morehu, Ngā Wairiki Ngāti Apa, Ngai Tahu me Ngā Puhi
Kaihautū Māori, Office of the Chief Executive
Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business Innovation and Employment
Formerly Piri was Secretary General of the Ratana Church and is the Kaihautu Māori to the Chief Executive of MBIE. Piri works across his agency to ensure there are robust enduring relationships with Māori that align to the Māori Crown Partnership and works with the Ministry to ensure Māori are included in its decisions. He is also a board member of Tūhono - The Māori Public Servants Network.

Steve Haami
Te Āti Haunui-ā-Pāpārangi
Pouārahi
Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development
Steve has dedicated over 40 years to the Public Service, strengthening the status of Te Tiriti o Waitangi, Te Ao Māori and the revitalisation of Te Reo Māori. Through key leadership programmes ‘Te Atatiatia’ and ‘Te Aka Matua’, Steve has guided hundreds of leaders to step into their career at MSD and wider public service. Steve is highly respected for his commitment to his work and his passion for helping others. In 2021 Steve was a recipient of the New Zealand Public Service Medal.

Trevor Moeke
Horouta Takitimu Mataatua Waka Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Awa, Ngāti Kahungunu
Poutiaki – Director Te Ao Maori Strategy and Performance
Te Tai Ōhanga | The Treasury
Trevor is Poutiaki - Director Te Ao Māori Strategy and Performance at the New Zealand Treasury, working from the Office of the Executive on building Māori capability and leading Crown Māori engagement, relationships and tax trade investment the Māori Economy regional development and policy. Trevor serves as chair of the Kahungunu Assets Holding Company. Through a career in both public and private sectors, Trevor has held multiple board, chair and strategic advisor positions across investment, government, and education entities. He is a co-founder of the World Indigenous Nations Higher Education Consortium. Piki te Kaha. Piki te Ora. Piki te Wairua.