Brook Barrington returns as acting chief of foreign affairs

Brook Barrington returns as acting chief of foreign affairs
Brook Barrington speaks at a dinner hosted by the governor general. (Image: crown copyright)
Jem Traylen
Brook Barrington has been appointed as acting head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade while a replacement for outgoing chief executive Chris Seed is found.Seed was Barrington’s replacement when the latter moved from heading foreign affairs to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) in a 2018 reshuffle of public service chiefs.Barrington had his DPMC contract extended through to January 2025. However, he has been on leave since March for family reasons. He will take over at the foreign ministry, MFAT, on Feb 7.A lot o...

More Public sector

Lobbying about lobbyists and more
Public sector Business of Government

Lobbying about lobbyists and more

Rules around lobbying come into focus as trust wanes. 

Ian Llewellyn 16 Apr 2025
Hawkesby appointed RBNZ governor for six months
Policy

Hawkesby appointed RBNZ governor for six months

Finance Minister Nicola Willis has appointed Christian Hawkesby, acting Reserve Bank of New Zealand governor, as governor for six months.Hawkesby’s appointment was recommended by the Reserve Bank of NZ (RBNZ) board.Previously, he was deputy governor.The appointment is effective o...

Staff reporters 08 Apr 2025
Fixing the public service
Opinion

Deb Te Kawa: Fixing the public service

Public Sector Act reform rightly aims at results, rather than cuts.

Deb Te Kawa 03 Apr 2025
Reforms, reminiscing and just a few regrets
Public sector Business of Government

Reforms, reminiscing and just a few regrets

Public Sector Act and procurement in the firing line.

Ian Llewellyn 02 Apr 2025