A unique opportunity to hear from three guest speakers with pivotal roles in the Public Sector – Peter Hughes (State Services Commissioner), Andrew Kibblewhite (Chief Executive DPMC and Head of the Policy Profession) and Judge Peter Boshier (Chief Ombudsman). Learn from their insights about managing the provision of free and frank advice and timely access to information under the Official Information Act 1982 in an open government environment. Participate in a discussion about how to find the appropriate balance between these important and sometimes competing principles.
More information
The July issue of the IPANZ Public Sector Journal published an excerpt of a speech Peter Hughes, State Services Commissioner recently gave in Sydney about political neutrality and the spirit of service. That issue also included an article on Free and Frank - why it matters, featuring Andrew Kibblewhite, Chief Executive, Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and Judge Boshier, Chief Ombudsman.
From their different perspectives our three speakers will provide insights about the everyday application of those principles and the recent steps taken to foster free and frank advice (particularly early stage, blue skies advice) and to provide timely access to information in an open government environment. A moderated discussion will follow about how to find the appropriate balance between these important and sometimes competing principles.
Bio details of speakers
Peter Hughes, State Services Commissioner
“I strongly believe in the ideal of public service and I have devoted the whole of my working life to it. It is a privilege to serve as State Services Commissioner.” Peter Hughes
Peter took up the role of State Services Commissioner and Head of State Services on 4 July 2016.
He has had a career spanning more than thirty-five years in various roles across the state sector. Before joining the State Services Commission he served as Secretary for Education for three years from 2013. Prior to this he was Professor of Public Management and Head of the School of Government at Victoria University of Wellington from 2011.
He started his career in the Public Service as a clerk at the Department of Social Welfare and his roles have included providing policy advice, working in the field and senior executive management.
Peter was Chief Executive at the Ministry of Social Development for ten years, and before that was Secretary for Internal Affairs, Chief Executive of the Health Funding Authority and Deputy Director-General of Health.
Peter was named Government Department CEO of the year four times by TransTasman Magazine. In 2012 he was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the State and in 2013 was voted Wellingtonian of the Year in the Government category.
Andrew Kibblewhite, Chief Executive, Department of Prime
Minister and Cabinet
Andrew Kibblewhite has been Chief Executive of DPMC since 2012. Andrew has a pivotal leadership role across central government, and is Head of the Policy Profession. He is charged with building a high-performing policy system that supports and enables good decision-making in government.
Andrew was previously Deputy Chief Executive at the Treasury across a range of roles. Prior to this he served as Director of the Policy Advisory Group at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet for five years.
He encourages a collective approach to policy improvement and stewardship and fosters thinking across the public service about the practical ways the profession can lift its capability. Andrew moderates a Head of the Policy Profession Group on LinkedIn which is a forum for information sharing and discussion on how the public service can improve the quality of its advice to Government.
Judge Peter Boshier, Chief Ombudsman
Judge Peter Boshier is Chief Ombudsman for New Zealand. He commenced in this position on 10 December 2015 and it is a five year appointment.
He was born and educated in Gisborne and attended Victoria University of Wellington, obtaining a Bachelor of Laws with Honours Degree in 1975. After a period of practice in Wellington he was appointed as a District Court Judge with a specialist Family Court warrant in 1988.
Judge Boshier has a long association with Pacific judicial issues and was seconded to undertake judicial training there, based in Suva in 2002 and 2003. Judge Boshier has travelled regularly to Pacific Island countries to undertake workshops on the subject of family violence and youth justice. He holds the Samoan Matai title of Misa which was bestowed in 2000.
In 2004 Judge Boshier was appointed as the Principal Family Court Judge of New Zealand and held that position until December 2012 when he was appointed a Law Commissioner, a position he held until being appointed as Chief Ombudsman.
Judge Boshier has served on the Government’s Family Violence Taskforce. He is Patron of the White Ribbon Trust and Patron of the Dwell Community Housing Trust in Wellington.
In 2009 Judge Boshier was made a distinguished alumnis of the Victoria University of Wellington for his contribution to the law.