Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission maintains an up-to-date list of all central government organisations on this page.
I tēnei whārangi On this page
- Public Service departments, departmental agencies and interdepartmental executive boards
- Non-Public Service departments
- Crown entities
- Independent Statutory Entities
- Public Finance Act 1989 Schedule 4 Organisations
- Public Finance Act 1989 Schedule 4A Companies
- Reserve Bank of New Zealand
- Officers of Parliament
- State-owned enterprises
- Mixed ownership model companies
Find a dataset
Current and historical data, including establishment dates, agency types and preferred names, is also available as a dataset on data.govt.nz
How the public sector is organised
You can also find detailed information about the different organisations in the public sector.
How the public sector is organised
Key
Departments
-
Te Tari Ture o te Karauna | Crown Law Office
The Crown Law Office provides legal advice and representation services to the executive government in matters affecting the Crown, particularly in areas of Te Tiriti, criminal, public and administrative law. It gives assurance to New Zealanders that the executive government’s operations and responsibilities are conducted lawfully.
Sectors
Leader
Una Jagose QC, Te Rōiā Matāmua o te Karauna | Solicitor-General
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Papa Atawhai | Department of Conservation
The Department of Conservation (DOC) runs programmes to protect and restore New Zealand's species, places and heritage. It provides opportunities for people to engage with these treasures through participation in outdoor recreation. DOC collaborates with iwi on the conservation of lands and waters, preserving our environment for future generations. It helps people in New Zealand experience the enrichment of connecting with nature.
Sectors
Leader
Penny Nelson, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Papa Atawhai | Director-General of Conservation and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Department of Corrections
Corrections helps people make positive changes and keeps New Zealanders safe. Corrections’ core responsibilities include maintaining safe custodial facilities, managing people's compliance with community-based sentences and orders, providing support and information to registered victims, providing information and administrative services to the Courts and the New Zealand Parole Board, and delivering rehabilitative and reintegrative interventions.
Sectors
Leader
Jeremy Lightfoot, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Ara Poutama Aotearoa | Secretary for Corrections and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) impacts the lives of New Zealanders from birth to death. DIA issues birth and death certificates, marriage licences, passports and citizenship for people. It includes the New Zealand Archives and the National Library, who preserve our nation’s heritage for future generations. DIA links central and local government more effectively to achieve improved outcomes for communities and people across the motu and leads the digital transformation of government across the public sector.
Sectors
Leader
Paul James, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Taiwhenua | Secretary for Internal Affairs and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Tari o te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua | Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) provides impartial advice and support services to the Prime Minister, Cabinet, and the Governor-General. It ensures ministers and Cabinet are supported by timely, well-informed advice. Its work helps the Public Service be more proactive and responsive to the people of New Zealand.
Sectors
Leader
Ben King, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Tari o te Pirimia me te Komiti Matua | Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Tari Arotake Mātauranga | Education Review Office
The Education Review Office is an external review and evaluation agency, working within the sector to drive equitable levels of participation, engagement and achievement for all learners. It reports on and evaluates the provision of education and care of children and young people in the education system, reflecting the unique and diverse settings in Māori-medium, English-medium and Pacific-medium. Its institutional reviews and evidence-based evaluation informs and facilitates accountability, education improvement, knowledge generation, self-evaluation and strengthens engagement with whānau and communities.
Sectors
Leader
Nicholas Pole, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Arotake Mātauranga | Chief Review Officer and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Tira Tiaki | Government Communications Security Bureau
The Government Communications Security Bureau (GCSB) is a signals intelligence agency which collects intelligence in accordance with New Zealand’s national security priorities. This intelligence is provided to government and relevant public sector agencies to support decision making. The GCSB also provides information assurance and cyber-security services to the Public Service and critical infrastructure organisations.
Sectors
Leader
Bridget White, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Tira Tiaki | Director-General of the Communications Security Bureau and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Tari Taake | Inland Revenue Department
Inland Revenue helps improve New Zealanders’ economic and social wellbeing by collecting taxes that support our society’s infrastructure. It works to make it faster and easier for people to pay their taxes and receive their entitlements. Inland Revenue collects and disburses social support programme payments and provides the Public Service with policy advice.
Sectors
Business
Leader
Peter Mersi, Kaikōmihana o Te Tari Taake | Commissioner of Inland Revenue and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Toitū Te Whenua | Land Information New Zealand
Land Information New Zealand is the lead organisation for property and location information, Public Service property and managing overseas investment. Its responsibilities include managing survey systems and topographic information, working across land, sea, data and regulatory areas. It helps guarantee the property rights of people in New Zealand by running the survey and title system.
Sectors
Leader
Gaye Searancke, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Toitū Te Whenua | Secretary for Land Information and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Manatū Taonga | Ministry for Culture and Heritage
Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage leads government work in the arts, heritage, sports and broadcasting sectors. Its vision is “Ki te puāwai te ahurea, Ka ora te iwi | Culture is thriving, The people are well.” The Ministry supports many of Aotearoa New Zealand’s cultural sector organisations; advises government on cultural matters and provides research and resources for everyone to access. The organisations it funds deliver a wide range of cultural experiences for all to enjoy.
Sectors
Leader
Leauanae Laulu Mac Leauanae, Te Tumu Whakarae mō ngā Taonga | Secretary for Culture and Heritage
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Manatū mō Ngā Iwi ō te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa | Ministry for Pacific Peoples
The Ministry for Pacific Peoples is the Crown's primary advisor on policies and interventions aimed at improving outcomes for Pacific peoples in Aotearoa New Zealand. It influences public policy, programme, and service decisions that affect Pacific Aotearoa by leveraging our extensive networks with Pacific communities across the country, as well as our knowledge and understanding of Pacific people, cultures, and values.
Sectors
Leader
Gerardine Clifford-Lidstone, Te Tumu Whakarae mō ngā Iwi o Te Moana-nui-a-Kiwa | Secretary for Pacific Peoples and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Manatū Ahu Matua | Ministry for Primary Industries
The Ministry for Primary Industries manages and regulates the farming, fishing, food, animal welfare, biosecurity and forestry sectors of New Zealand's primary industries. It helps ensure the food we produce is safe, increases sustainable resource use and protects New Zealand from biological risk.
Sectors
Leader
Ray Smith, Te Tumu Whakarae mō ngā Ahumahi Matua | Director-General of Primary Industries and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Manatū Waeture | Ministry for Regulation
The Ministry for Regulation aims to strengthen the regulatory management system to improve regulatory quality. Its purpose is to lift quality across all regulatory systems and ensure agencies with regulatory responsibilities follow best practice.
Sectors
Leader
Gráinne Moss, Secretary for Regulation and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Manatū Mō Te Taiao | Ministry for the Environment
The Ministry for the Environment is the Public Service’s primary adviser on environmental matters, taking a long-term perspective on environmental issues. It helps New Zealand to be a better steward of our natural environment, working in areas such as resource management, waste minimisation and protecting people from hazardous substances and new organisms.
Sectors
Leader
James Palmer, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Taiao | Secretary for the Environment and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Manatū Wāhine | Ministry for Women
Manatū Wāhine Ministry for Women is the Government’s principal advisor on improving the lives of wāhine women and kōtiro girls. The Ministry aims to ensure wāhine Māori have improved outcomes, all women and girls enjoy economic security and thrive throughout their lives, fully participate in society, and are safe from all forms of violence. Its work benefits women, their families and New Zealand as a whole.
Sectors
Leader
Kellie Coombes, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Wahine | Secretary for Women
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Hīkina Whakatutuki | Ministry of Business, Innovation, and Employment
The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment works to grow Aotearoa New Zealand for all. It includes service providers, policy makers, investors and regulators. It engages with diverse communities, businesses and regions. Its work touches on the daily lives of New Zealanders. It’s focus is to grow opportunities (Puāwai), guard and protect (Kaihāpai) and innovate and navigate towards a better future (Auaha).
Sectors
Leader
Carolyn Tremain, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Hīkina Whakatutuki | Secretary for Business, Innovation, and Employment and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Manatū Kaupapa Waonga | Ministry of Defence
The Ministry of Defence is the lead civilian agency on defence matters. The Ministry contributes to making New Zealand safe and enhancing the security of other nations. It also purchases equipment which becomes capability when used by the personnel of New Zealand Defence Force.
Sectors
Leader
Brook Barrington, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Waonga | Secretary of Defence and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Whaikaha | Ministry of Disabled People
Whaikaha was established to work in partnership with the disability community, Māori and the Government to drive change towards a better, more independent future for disabled people, tāngata whaikaha and their whānau. A key intent of the ministry is that it gives full effect to the individual and collective voices of disabled people, tāngata whaikaha Māori, whānau and the wider disability community. Whaikaha is honouring Te Tiriti o Waitangi | Treaty of Waitangi while transforming the disability system and helping shape the future of Aotearoa New Zealand in partnership with the disability community and Māori.
Sectors
Leader
Paula Tesoriero MNZM, Secretary for Disabled People and Chief Executive
Website
-
Te Tāhuhu o te Mātauranga | Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education is the Public Service’s lead advisor on New Zealand's education system. It runs the country’s system of schools, kura and early childhood education. It shapes direction for education organisations and providers and its work ensures children in New Zealand can grow up with an education that sets them up for success in life.
Sectors
Leader
Ellen MacGregor-Reid, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Mātauranga | Secretary for Education and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Manatū Aorere | Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade/Manatū Aorere (MFAT) leads work on the Government’s international priorities and provides advice about how international events and activities affect New Zealand. It delivers Aotearoa New Zealand’s international development programme; negotiates international trading relationships; provides essential consular services to New Zealanders; leads New Zealand’s international effort to support peace and resilience, particularly in the Pacific region, and engagement on global issues such as climate change and disarmament. The Ministry runs New Zealand’s 60 overseas diplomatic posts.
Sectors
Leader
Bede Corry, Te Tumu Whakarae mō ngā Take Aorere | Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Manatū Hauora | Ministry of Health
The Ministry of Health leads New Zealand’s health and disability system, in coordination with Health New Zealand. It provides a range of support, information, and health services that enable people in Aotearoa New Zealand to live healthy lives It also funds, monitors and drives the performance improvements of other health sector entities.
Sectors
Leader
Professor Diana Sarfati, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Hauora | Director-General of Health and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga | Ministry of Housing and Urban Development
Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga - The Ministry of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shapes the strategies and work programmes for housing and urban development in Aotearoa New Zealand. HUD is working to make significant, long-term change, while also helping individuals, whānau and communities with their immediate needs.
Sectors
Leader
Andrew Crisp, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Tūāpapa Kura Kāinga | Secretary for Housing and Urban Development and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Tāhū o te Ture | Ministry of Justice
The Ministry of Justice is the lead organisation in the justice sector and on Māori Crown Relations for the Public Service. It administers the court and legal aid systems, and the Public Defence Service. Its staff deliver people-centred justice services that provide access to justice for everyone in New Zealand.
Sectors
Leader
Andrew Kibblewhite, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Ture | Secretary for Justice and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Puni Kōkiri | Ministry of Māori Development
Te Puni Kōkiri is the Public Service’s principal policy advisor on Māori wellbeing and development. It works to build a more sustainable and resilient Māori economy, and to ensure the rights and interests of Māori as tangata whenua are protected and supported. Its work improves outcomes for Māori across key areas of Public Service investment.
Sectors
Leader
Dave Samuels, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Puni Kōkiri | Secretary for Māori Development
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Manatū Whakahiato Ora | Ministry of Social Development
The Ministry of Social Development manages and delivers New Zealand’s welfare system. It works with other organisations, communities and iwi to build strong, healthy families and societies. It provides employment, income support and superannuation services that help people in New Zealand be safe, strong and independent. Its work also includes social housing assistance, funding for family and sexual violence prevention, funding for community service providers, social cohesion, resolving claims of historical abuse and managing student loans to help young people achieve their education goals.
Sectors
Leader
Debbie Power, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Whakahiato Ora | Secretary for Social Development and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Manatū Waka | Ministry of Transport
Te Manatū Waka is the system lead on transport. It provides advice about how the transport needs to change to support the New Zealand economy and the transport needs of New Zealanders. It works in partnership with a number of transport agencies covering air, sea and land to help keep the transport system moving.
Sectors
Leader
Audrey Sonerson, Te Tumu Whakarae mō ngā Waka | Secretary for Transport and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa | New Zealand Customs Service
The New Zealand Customs Service provides border services that protect New Zealand and advance our economy. It ensures that lawful people, goods and craft can move across our borders easily, while stopping threats or illicit goods such as drugs, weapons, and objectionable material from entering New Zealand. It also helps to promote international trade and collect Crown revenue. Through its work, it protects the wellbeing and livelihood of people in New Zealand.
Sectors
Leader
Christine Stevenson, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Mana Ārai | Comptroller of Customs and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Pā Whakamarumaru | New Zealand Security Intelligence Service
The New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) investigates threats to New Zealand’s national security, and provides a range of protective security advice to the New Zealand Government. The NZSIS is New Zealand’s lead organisation for human intelligence, with a mission to keep New Zealand and New Zealanders safe and secure. The NZSIS collects, analyses and reports on intelligence relevant to New Zealand’s national security, and cooperates with a variety of other government agencies in the performance of their functions.
Sectors
Leader
Andrew Hampton, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Pā Whakamarumaru | Director-General of Security and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Oranga Tamariki | Ministry for Children
Oranga Tamariki is dedicated to supporting any child in New Zealand whose wellbeing is at significant risk of harm now, or in the future. It works with young people who may have offended or are likely to offend. Its strategic partnerships involve helping tamariki and rangatahi Māori to thrive in the care and protection of their whānau, hapū and iwi.
Sectors
Leader
Chappie Te Kani, Te Tumu Whakarae mō te Tamariki | Secretary for Children and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission
The Public Service Commission provides leadership and oversight of the Public Service, ensuring that it works as one system to deliver better services and better outcomes for the public. It is responsible for appointing Public Service chief executives, issuing a code of conduct for public servants and supporting the performance of the Public Service.
Sectors
Leader
Sir Brian Roche KNZM, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commissioner, Head of Service
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Tari Hara Tāware | Serious Fraud Office
The Serious Fraud Office is New Zealand’s lead law enforcement agency for investigating and prosecuting serious or complex financial crime, including bribery and corruption. Its work helps protect the economic and financial wellbeing of New Zealanders and is integral to New Zealand’s reputation for transparency, integrity and low levels of corruption. The SFO leads fraud prevention efforts in the public sector through its Counter Fraud Centre - Tauārai Hara Tāware (CFC).
Sectors
Leader
Karen Chang, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Tari Hara Tāware | Director of the Serious Fraud Office and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Toi Hau Tāngata | Social Investment Agency
The Social Investment Agency leads the social investment approach to improve people’s lives and to support the Government to achieve better outcomes from social service expenditure. Social investment involves understanding people’s needs, setting clear goals about what works, improving services and enabling local providers to tailor services to the needs of communities. The Agency also supports cross-social sector work to provide actionable insights to decision-makers.
Sectors
Leader
Andy Coster, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Toi Hau Tāngata | Acting Secretary for Social Investment and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Website
-
Tatauranga Aotearoa | Stats NZ
Stats NZ collects information from people and organisations through censuses and surveys, then uses this information to publish insights and data about New Zealand. It works to support others to use the data to improve the lives of people. It helps people maintain integrity and privacy standards, to better protect our information.
Sectors
Leader
Mark Sowden, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Tatauranga Aotearoa | Government Statistician and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Functional Lead (Chief Data Steward)
Government Leadership Group
Website
-
Te Tai Ōhanga | The Treasury
Te Tai Ōhanga – The Treasury is the lead economic and financial adviser to the Government and steward of the public sector financial management and regulatory systems. The Treasury’s vision is to lift living standards for all New Zealanders. It provides advice to the Government on its overarching economic framework and fiscal strategy and how to achieve value for money from its investments. It is also responsible for publishing financial statements and economic and fiscal forecasts and ensuring effective management of the Crown’s assets and liabilities.
Sectors
Leader
Iain Rennie, Te Tumu Whakarae mō Te Tai Ōhanga | Secretary to the Treasury and Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
Departmental agencies
-
Aroturuki Tamariki | Independent Children’s Monitor
Aroturuki Tamariki is tasked with assessing the quality and impacts of service delivery, resourcing and practices on the experience of tamariki (children) and rangatahi (young people), alongside their whānau (family), and making recommendations to ensure they have access to high quality and effective services. The Monitor will listen to the voices of tamariki, rangatahi and whānau, including in the case of children and young people, upholding their right to share their views and have those views taken into account. The Monitor will have particular regard to outcomes for Māori tamariki and rangatahi and their whānau and will be required to report on this annually.
Leader:
Arran Jones, Independent Monitor of the Oranga Tamariki System, and Chief Executive, Aroturuki Tamariki - Independent Children’s MonitorWebsite:
aroturuki.govt.nz -
Te Aho o Te Kahu | Cancer Control Agency
The Cancer Control Agency provides central leadership and oversight of cancer control. It leads and unites organisations, service providers and people across the cancer continuum to improve cancer outcomes for all New Zealanders. The Agency works with partners across the health system to enable cancer prevention, ensure early detection and diagnosis, and provide high-quality treatment and care. Te Aho o Te Kahu is focused on identifying and addressing inequities in cancer care and delivering on its vision of fewer cancers, better survival and equity for all.
Sectors
Leader
Rami Rahal, Te Tumu Whakahaere | Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Charter School Agency
The Charter School Agency was established to implement and operate the new charter school model which includes negotiating and managing contracts and delivering funding. The agency is responsible for engaging with stakeholders and supporting the Authorisation Board which will approve Sponsors for new and converting charter schools | kura hourua.
Sectors
Leader
Jane Lee, Establishment Chief Executive
Website
-
Te Tari Mātāwaka | Ministry for Ethnic Communities
The Ministry for Ethnic Communities is the Public Service’s chief advisor on ethnic communities and ethnic diversity. It provides information, advice and services for ethnic communities in New Zealand. Its work improves how responsive the Public Service is to the needs of ethnic communities by developing policies and interventions aimed at improving outcomes for ethnic communities in Aotearoa.
Sectors
Leader
Mervin Singham, Te Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Rākau Whakamarumaru | National Emergency Management Agency
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) helps ensure that New Zealanders receive a consistent level of support in any emergency, wherever and whenever it happens. When help must be deployed in New Zealand, the Emergency Management Assistance Team coordinates the response, after considering available resources and other competing requests.
Sectors
Leader
David Gawn, Te Tumu Whakarae, Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Website
-
Te Arawhiti | Office for Māori Crown Relations
Te Arawhiti works to make the Public Service a better Treaty partner, able to engage effectively with Māori on a range of issues. It provides support and guidance for effective relationships between Māori and the Public Service. Its work on current and historical Treaty settlements helps to ensure the commitments in Treaty settlements endure.
Sectors
Leader
Glenn Webber, Te Tumu Whakarae | Chief Executive
Current Public Service Leaders
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
Interdepartmental executive boards
-
Border Executive Board
The Border Executive Board is hosted by the New Zealand Customs Services to deliver an integrated and effective border system. It works to ensure the border is working smartly and safely, and is able to reduce risk from arrivals. The 6 organisations involved in the Board are:
- New Zealand Customs Service (Chair)
- Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
- Ministry of Health
- Ministry for Primary Industries
- Ministry of Transport.
Website
-
Climate Change Chief Executives Board
-
Digital Executive Board
-
Family Violence and Sexual Violence Executive Board
The Family Violence and Sexual Violence Executive Board takes a collaborative approach to the complex issues of family violence and sexual violence, that brings together government organisations, tangata whenua and communities. It focuses on aligning the strategy, policy and budgeting functions across relevant organisations so it can provide advice that takes a system-wide perspective towards the vision of ending family violence and sexual violence.
Interdepartmental Executive Board
Sectors
Executive branch
-
Te Ope Kātua o Aotearoa | New Zealand Defence Force
The New Zealand Defence Force works to keep Aotearoa New Zealand safe and secure. It protects the sovereign territory of New Zealand including our Exclusive Economic Zone. It advances New Zealand’s interests through military operations at sea, on land and in the air. Its equipment and expertise support people and communities who are in need at home, across the nation and around the world.
Sectors
Leader
Air Marshal Tony Davies, Chief of Defence Force
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Ngā Pirihimana o Aotearoa | New Zealand Police
New Zealand Police works with the community to make New Zealanders be and feel safe, providing policing services 24 hours a day. It operates across land, sea and air to prevent crimes and crashes. It invests in relationships with tangata whenua to jointly reduce offending and victimisation within Māori communities.
Sectors
Leader
Richard Chambers, Commissioner of Police
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Te Tari Tohutohu Pāremata | Parliamentary Counsel Office
The Parliamentary Counsel Office drafts and publishes legislation. It works with others to make legislation that’s fit for purpose, constitutionally sound and accessible to all users. It examines and revises existing legislation, and provides guidance and support on practices that relate to the design, drafting and publication of legislation.
Sector
Leader
Cassie Nicholson, Chief Parliamentary Counsel
Current Public Service Leaders
Website
Legislative branch
- Te Tari o te Manahautū o te Whare Māngai | Office of the Clerk of the House of Representatives
- Te Ratonga Pāremata | Parliamentary Service
Ngā hinonga Karauna Crown entities
Crown entities include statutory entities (Crown agents and autonomous and independent Crown entities), Crown entity companies, School Boards of Trustees and tertiary institutions.
Find out more about Crown entities
Statutory entities — Crown agents
-
Te Kaporeihana Āwhina Hunga Whara | Accident Compensation Corporation
The Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) is a Crown agent that helps to get New Zealanders and visitors back to everyday life if they’ve had an accident. It also works with partners and the community to keep people safe and prevent injuries. ACC helps cover the cost of treatment, help at home, transport requirements and income assistance. It builds close relationships within cultural groups and the wider community.
Sectors
Chair
Dr Tracey Batten, Chair
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Callaghan Innovation
Callaghan Innovation is a Crown agent that partners with businesses of all sizes, providing innovation, research and development services. It empowers innovators by:
- connecting people, opportunities and networks
- providing tailored technical solutions, skills and capability development programmes
- granting co-funding.
Its engineers and scientists work closely with Public Service partners, Crown Research Institutes and other organisations to enhance how New Zealand’s innovation environment operates.
Sectors
Chair
Ms Jennifer Kerr, Chair
Website
-
Te Mana Rererangi Tūmatanui o Aotearoa | Civil Aviation Authority
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is a Crown agent and works to make sure everyone involved in New Zealand aviation meets the legal standards set by the Minister of Transport. New Zealand’s civil aviation community includes licensed pilots, engineers, and air traffic controllers, as well as aviation operators like airlines, aerodromes, flying schools, and aircraft maintenance organisations.
There are 2 parts to the CAA:
- the agency overseeing aviation safety and security, and the rules underpinning it
- the Aviation Security Service, known as AvSec, who work at airports screening passengers and their luggage.
Sectors
Chair
Jill Hatchwell, Chair
Website
-
Manapou ki te Ao | Education New Zealand
Education New Zealand is a Crown agent that promotes a New Zealand education as one that teaches students to be critical thinkers, problem solvers and lifelong learners, which will help them succeed in their future careers and create a positive impact on the world. Staff work closely with New Zealand’s diverse education sector including schools, English language providers, private training establishments, institutes of technology and polytechnics, universities; and internationally with NZ Inc agencies, government agencies and education providers to identify opportunities and build a resilient, sustainable sector.
Sectors
Chair
Tracey Bridges, Chair
Website
-
Te Tari Tiaki Pūngao | Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority
EECA (the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Authority) is a Crown agent that encourages, promotes and supports energy efficiency, energy conservation and the use of renewable sources of energy. EECA addresses New Zealand’s energy-related emissions (around 40% of New Zealand’s total) through co-funding, regulation and motivating people. EECA receives some of its funding from levies collected from the road transport fuel, electricity and gas sectors.
Sectors
Chair
Elena Trout, Chair
Website
-
Te Mana Rauhī Taiao | Environmental Protection Authority
The Environmental Protection Authority is a Crown agent responsible for regulating activities that affect the environment and health of New Zealanders. This includes:
- hazardous substances and waste
- ozone-depleting substances
- new organisms
- the environmental effects of certain activities in the Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf
- the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme.
Its vision is “An environment protected, enhancing our way of life and the economy”. Its work supports the efficient, effective, and transparent management of Aotearoa New Zealand’s environment and its natural and physical resources. It also enables New Zealand to meet its international obligations under environmental treaties and agreements.
Sectors
Chair
Colin Dawson, Chair
Website
-
Fire and Emergency New Zealand
Fire and Emergency New Zealand (FENZ) is a Crown agent which is an integrated fire and emergency services organisation with a mandate to reduce the incidence of unwanted fires and the associated risk to life, property and the environment. Its services include:
- promoting fire safety
- providing fire prevention and response
- providing urban search and rescue
- responding to incidents involving hazardous substances
- rescuing trapped people.
Fire and Emergency also provides assistance with medical emergencies, natural disasters, weather events and transport accidents.
Sectors
Chair
Rebecca Keoghan, Chair
Website
-
Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand
Health New Zealand is a Crown agent that was established in 2022 to run the health system across New Zealand, with functions delivered at local, district, regional and national levels. It is responsible for delivering quality hospital and specialist services that are consistent and equitable for all areas of New Zealand. Its work ensures primary and community care is tailored to meet the specific needs of communities. Health New Zealand is part of the health sector.
Sectors
Chair
Professor Lester Levy ,Chair
Website
-
Kupu Taurangi Hauora o Aotearoa | Health Quality & Safety Commission
The Health Quality & Safety Commission (HQSC) is a Crown agent and is Aotearoa New Zealand’s only focused national quality and safety agency working with clinicians, providers and consumers to provide safe, equitable, high-quality health and disability services. As a Te Tiriti o Waitangi partner, HQSC gather, analyse and report on data and information from across the system, detailing the equity, quality and safety of services. We are also the health sector’s central trusted hub for sharing and understanding data and experiences and improving care together. Our work means greater health equity, fewer people harmed, more lives saved, and financial savings that can be reapplied to care for New Zealanders.
Sectors
Chair
Raewyn Lamb, Chair
Website
-
Health Research Council of New Zealand
The Health Research Council of New Zealand is a Crown Agent that identifies and funds research that can lead to new medicines, breakthroughs and cures, and improve our health and wellbeing. Its funding strengthens the health workforce by enabling researchers to pursue innovative and internationally significant research that in turn benefits the people in New Zealand.
Sectors
Chair
Dr Lester Levy, Chair
Website
-
Kāinga Ora – Homes and Communities
Kāinga Ora is a Crown Agent that brings together the people, capabilities, and resources of the KiwiBuilt Unit, Housing New Zealand and its subsidiary HLC. This achieves a more joined-up approach to housing and urban development. Kāinga Ora manages public housing and acts as landlord for these properties. It partners with local government, Māori and community groups on urban development and reducing homelessness.
Sectors
Chair
Mr Simon Moutter, Chair
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Nō te rere moana Aotearoa | Maritime New Zealand
Maritime New Zealand is a Crown Agent that leads and supports the maritime community to take responsibility for making sure our seas and inland waterways are safe, secure and clean for everyone. It licenses and certifies seafarers and commercial operations, educates the maritime community and plays a role in both enforcing regulations and investigating accidents.
Sectors
Chair
Dame Jo Brosnahan QSO, Chair
Website
-
Toka Tū Ake | Natural Hazards Commission
Toka Tū Ake Natural Hazards Commission is a Crown agent that invests in natural hazard research and education to help governments, policy makers and communities reduce the impact of natural hazards. It administers the country’s natural hazard home insurance scheme for damage caused by earthquakes, tsunamis, landslips, volcanic eruptions, and hydrothermal activity to help communities get their lives back on track after an event. All New Zealanders with a current home insurance policy that includes fire cover automatically receive EQCover.
Sectors
Chair
Chris Black, Chair
Website
-
Antarctica New Zealand (New Zealand Antarctic Institute)
Antarctica New Zealand is a Crown Agent that carries out activities in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean, supporting world-leading science and environmental protection. It supports collaboration between the New Zealand scientific community and international scientists on research to better understand Antarctica, including its ecosystem dynamics and its role in climate change and sea level rise.
Sectors
Chair
Mr Leon Grice, Chair
Website
-
Te Ratonga Toto O Aotearoa | New Zealand Blood Service
New Zealand Blood Service is a Crown agent that supports the healthcare community by managing the collection, processing and supply of blood, controlled human substances and related services. It operates 6 blood banks around Aotearoa New Zealand that match patients with the blood transfusions they need. Its work in processing blood donations means better efficiency, quality and safety for people in New Zealand.
Sectors
Chair
Fiona Pimm, Chair
Website
-
Mana Tohu Mātauranga o Aotearoa | New Zealand Qualifications Authority
The New Zealand Qualifications Authority is a Crown Agent. Its work includes:
- maintaining the New Zealand Qualifications Framework
- quality assuring non-university tertiary education organisations and their qualification delivery
- international liaison to recognise overseas qualifications in New Zealand and achieve recognition of New Zealand qualifications internationally
- administering the Education (Pastoral Care of Tertiary and International Learners) Code of Practice 2021.
This ensures that New Zealand qualifications are accepted as credible and robust, both here and overseas, and help learners succeed.
Sectors
Chair
Kevin Jenkins, Chair
Website
-
Manaakitanga Aotearoa | Tourism New Zealand (New Zealand Tourism Board)
Tourism New Zealand is the Crown Agent responsible for marketing Aotearoa New Zealand as a visitor destination. To ensure tourism gives back more than it takes, we take a sophisticated approach to targeting high-quality visitors in priority markets, markets to get the best value and return on investment. High-quality visitors are defined by more than their contribution to the economy – it is about how they contribute more widely to Aotearoa including their scope of activities, how they travel across seasons and regions, their environmental consciousness and engagement with our local culture and communities.
Sectors
Chair
Paul Brock, Chair
Website
-
Te Taurapa Tūhono | New Zealand Trade and Enterprise
New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is a Crown Agent and is the New Zealand Public Service’s international business development organisation. It works with food producers, Māori land trusts and iwi, technology startups, service providers and manufacturers. NZTE also works with investors in New Zealand and overseas to provide investment that enables exporters to develop their businesses. NZTE support helps develop a productive, sustainable and inclusive economy for the people of Aotearoa New Zealand.
Sectors
Chair
Ms Jennifer Kerr, Chair
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Waka Kotahi | New Zealand Transport Agency
Waka Kotahi is a Crown Agent responsible for managing the state highway network and the wider national land transport system. This includes managing the licensing of drivers and vehicles. It works to provide one integrated land transport system that helps people get the most out of life and supports business. Its focus areas include reducing injury on the roads, providing fair and equitable access to the transport system, and responsibly managing the transport system’s interaction with the environment.
Sectors
Chair
Hon Simon Bridges, Chair
Leadership groups
Public Service Leadership Team
Website
-
Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa | the Outdoor Access Commission
The Outdoor Access Commission Herenga ā Nuku Aotearoa is the Crown agent responsible for providing leadership on access to the outdoors. It administers a national strategy on outdoor access, including tracks and trails. It maps outdoor access, provides information to the public, oversees a code of responsible conduct in the outdoors, helps to resolve access disputes and negotiates new access.
Sectors
Chair
Don Cameron, Chair
Website
-
Te Pātaka Whaioranga | Pharmaceutical Management Agency
Pharmac is a Crown agent that manages the national pharmaceutical budget, investing it carefully to ensure New Zealanders have the medicines they need. It gives people access to medicines and related products to help them live healthy lives and works to improve access for people who aren’t getting the medicines they need.
Sectors
Chair
Hon Paula Bennett, Chair
Website
-
Te Mana Papawhenua | Real Estate Authority (Real Estate Agents Authority)
The Real Estate Authority (REA) is a Crown agent and regulator of licensed real estate professionals. REA promotes and protects the interests of people who buy and sell real estate. Its work to licence the people and companies in the real estate industry, to educate the sector, and to oversee a complaints and discipline process means the public can have confidence in the performance of real estate agencies and agents.
Sectors
Chair
Denese Bates QC, Chair
Website
-
Kāhui Whakamana Tauwhiro | Social Workers Registration Board
The Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) / Kāhui whakamana tauwhiro is a Crown agent established under the Social Workers Registration Act 2003. The SWRB is Aotearoa’s national social worker regulator and lead agency for social worker workforce planning. Our role is to protect the safety of members of the public by ensuring social workers are competent and safe to practise and are accountable for the way in which they practise. We also enhance social workers professional practice and provide insight into the opportunities and challenges facing the social worker workforce.
Sectors
Chair
Shannon Pakura, Chair
Website
-
Ihi Aotearoa | Sport New Zealand (Sport and Recreation New Zealand)
Sport New Zealand (Sport NZ) is a Crown agent that promotes and supports the provision of quality experiences in play, active recreation and sport. Its vision is Every Body Active. By improving levels of physical activity, Sport NZ ensures the greatest impact on well-being for all people in Aotearoa New Zealand. It also leads High Performance Sport NZ, which supports athletes and coaches to excel on the world stage in an environment that values well-being.
Sectors
Chair
Raewyn Lovett, Chair
Website
-
Taumata Arowai | Water Services Regulator
Taumata Arowai is a Crown agent that works to ensure all communities have access to safe drinking water every day. It protects people and communities from serious health risks due to the quality or quantity of drinking water and supports the water services sector to improve its performance and environmental outcomes. This includes overseeing the protection of the environment from the impacts of wastewater and stormwater.
Sector
Chair
Dame Karen Poutasi DNZM, Chair
Website
-
Te Amorangi Mātauranga Matua | Tertiary Education Commission
The Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) is a Crown agent that invests in tertiary education and supporting the tertiary and careers system. TEC leads the Government’s relationship with the tertiary education sector in New Zealand and provides career services from education to employment. We invest over $3 billion into tertiary education and supporting the tertiary and careers system to ensure New Zealanders are equipped with the knowledge and skills they need for lifelong success.
Sectors
Chair
Dr Wayne Ngata, (Acting) Chair
Website
-
Mahi Haumaru Aotearoa | WorkSafe New Zealand
WorkSafe is a Crown agent and is New Zealand’s primary workplace health and safety regulator. Its work ensures workplaces are appropriately managing health and safety, which helps New Zealanders return safely home from work. It works to improve workforce capability in health and safety, and influence attitudes and behaviours that will improve health and safety risk management.
Sectors
Chair
Jennifer Kerr, Chair
Website
Statutory entities — Autonomous and Independent Crown Entities
-
Autonomous Crown Entities (ACEs)
- Accreditation Council
- Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa
- Broadcasting Commission
- Government Superannuation Fund Authority
- Guardians of New Zealand Superannuation
- Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa Board
- New Zealand Artificial Limb Service
- New Zealand Film Commission
- New Zealand Infrastructure Commission/Te Waihanga
- New Zealand Lotteries Commission
- New Zealand Symphony Orchestra
- Public Trust
- Retirement Commissioner
- Te Reo Whakapuaki Irirangi (Māori Broadcasting Funding Agency)
- Te Taura Whiri I Te Reo Māori (Māori Language Commission)
-
Independent Crown Entities (ICEs)
- Broadcasting Standards Authority
- Children and Young People's Commission
- Climate Change Commission
- Commerce Commission
- Criminal Cases Review Commission
- Electoral Commission
- Electricity Authority
- External Reporting Board
- Financial Markets Authority
- Health and Disability Commissioner
- Human Rights Commission
- Independent Police Conduct Authority
- Integrity Sport and Recreation Commission
- Law Commission
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Commission
- Office of Film and Literature Classification
- Privacy Commissioner
- Takeovers Panel
- Transport Accident Investigation Commission
Crown entity companies
-
Crown Research Institutes (CRIs)
- AgResearch Limited
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research Limited
- Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences Limited
- Landcare Research New Zealand Limited
- National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research Limited
- New Zealand Forest Research Institute Limited
- The New Zealand Institute for Plant and Food Research Limited
-
Other companies
- Crown Irrigation Investments Limited
- New Zealand Growth Capital Partners Limited
- Radio New Zealand Limited
- Television New Zealand Limited
- Auckland Light Rail Limited
-
Crown entity subsidiaries of NZIST
- Ara Institute of Canterbury
- Eastern Institute of Technology
- Manukau Institute of Technology
- Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology
- Northland Polytechnic
- Open Polytechnic of New Zealand
- Otago Polytechnic
- Southern Institute of Technology
- Tai Poutini Polytechnic
- Toi Ohomai Institute of Technology
- Unitec Institute of Technology
- Universal College of Learning
- Waikato Institute of Technology
- Wellington Institute of Technology
- Western Institute of Technology
- Whitireia Community Polytechnic
-
Other Crown entity subsidiaries
- Approximately 150 Crown entity subsidiaries
School Boards of Trustees
Approximately 2,416 (including Te Aho o Te Kura Pounamu — The Correspondence School)
In central government
-
Tertiary Institutions
- Universities
- Te Wānanga Aronui o Tāmaki Makau Rau | Auckland University of Technology
- Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki | Lincoln University
- Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa | Massey University
- Waipapa Taumata Rau | University of Auckland
- Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury
- Te Whare Wananga Otago | University of Otago
- Te Whare Wananga o Waikato | University of Waikato
- Te Herenga Waka | Victoria University of Wellington
- Te Pūkenga | New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology
- Wānanga
- Te Wānanga o Aotearoa (Te Awamutu)
- Te Wānanga o Raukawa (Otaki)
- Te Whare Wānanga o Awanuiārangi (Whakatane)
- Universities
Ngā Hinonga Motuhake ā-Ture Independent Statutory Entities
- Te Mātāwai
-
Fish and Game Councils
- New Zealand Fish and Game Council
- Fish and Game Councils (12)
-
Reserves Boards
There are 20 Reserve Boards.
-
Trusts
- Agricultural and Marketing Research and Development Trust
- Asia New Zealand Foundation
- National Pacific Radio Trust
- Ngāi Tahu Ancillary Claims Trust (inactive)
- Pacific Co-operation Foundation
- Pacific Island Business Development Trust
-
Other (Bodies Corporate)
- Game Animal Council
- The Māori Trustee
- New Zealand Game Bird Habitat Trust Board
- New Zealand Government Property Corporation
-
Other (Unincorporated)
- New Zealand Lottery Grants Board
Ture Tahua Tūmatanui 1989 Ngā Kamupene Āpitihanga 4A Public Finance Act 1989 Schedule 4A Companies
- City Rail Link Limited
- Crown Infrastructure Partners Limited
- Crown Regional Holdings Limited
- Education Payroll Limited
- Kiwi Group Capital Limited
- The Network for Learning Limited
- New Zealand Green Investment Finance Limited
- Ngāpuhi Investment Fund Limited
- Rau Paenga
- Predator Free 2050 Limited
- Research and Education Advanced Network New Zealand Limited
- Southern Response Earthquake Services Limited
- Tāmaki Redevelopment Company Limited
Ngā pakihi a te kāwanatanga State-owned enterprises
- Airways Corporation of New Zealand Limited
- Animal Control Products Limited
- AsureQuality Limited
- Electricity Corporation of New Zealand Limited
- KiwiRail Holdings Limited
- Kordia Group Limited
- Landcorp Farming Limited
- Meteorological Service of New Zealand Limited
- New Zealand Post Limited
- New Zealand Railways Corporation
- Quotable Value Limited
- Transpower New Zealand Limited