Heads of profession provide leadership of professional groups across the Public Service. This includes convening professional networks, building capability through professional development, and providing best-practice guidance for members of the profession. Heads of profession are designated by the Public Service Commissioner. Some heads of profession are secretaries of departments, while others are held by second tier leaders with closer affiliations to the profession.

Current heads of profession include:

Policy

The Head of the Policy Profession is responsible for improving the policy system - that is its capabilities, systems, processes, and standards – and thereby helping improve the outcomes that they contribute to. These include higher quality policy advice, better government decisions, and better outcomes for people in New Zealand. Responsibility for the content of advice on specific policy issues remains with relevant government departments and their chief executives.

More information can be found here.

Legal (statutory role)

The Solicitor-General is the government's chief legal adviser and advocate in the courts. They also lead the Government Legal Network in collaboration with departmental Chief Legal Advisors. This network builds the capability of the public service legal profession and leverages the collective legal resources and expertise of the Crown to support the government in the lawful delivery of services to New Zealanders.

More information can be found here.

Finance

The Head of the Government Finance Profession aims to lift strategic financial management practices and capability across the system. This means integrating strategy, planning and performance to ensure value is at the heart of everything we do. It enables smart decisions that maximise value for money and outcomes for New Zealanders. 

  • Sir Brian Roche KNZMTe Tumu Whakarae mō Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commissioner, Head of Service

    Te Kawa Mataaho | Public Service Commission

    Sir Brian is the Public Service Commissioner and Head of Service. He most recently has been Chair of the Cyclone Recovery Taskforce from 2023 to 2024 and Chair of New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi from 2019 to 2022. Sir Brian was the Chief Executive of New Zealand Post from 2010 to 2017 and prior to this was a Partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) from 1987 to 2009.

    Commenced
    November 2024

    Sectors
    Central agencies

    Leadership groups
    Te Ohu Tumu Whakarae i te Ratonga Tūmatanui | Public Service Leadership Team

    Website
    publicservice.govt.nz

Internal Audit and Risk Assurance

Responsible for raising the profile, importance and expectations of internal audit and risk assurance functions with Secretaries, Chief Executives, Crown Agency Boards and their Audit Committees.

James Jong – Chief Internal Auditor
Ministry of Education

Communications

The Head of Profession for Communications and Engagement provides strategic leadership, guidance, and capability development across the Public Service.

Communications staff play an important part in building an understanding of the work of the Public Service and Government. They help provide the public and media with information that is of importance to New Zealanders, and which can often involve complex issues, new policies and the availability of services or assistance. 

Gillon Carruthers, Deputy Director – General Public Affairs
Ministry for Primary Industries