Executive Leadership Team
DIA's executive leadership team
- Office of the Chief Executive
- Ue te Hīnātore - Local Government
- Te Urungi - Organisational Strategy and Performance
- Te Kōtui Whitiwhiti - Digital Public Service
- Te Haumi - Enterprise Partnerships
- Toi Hiranga - Regulation and Policy
- Kāwai ki te Iwi- Service Delivery and Operations
- He Pou Aronui - Organisational Capability and Services
Karen Hope-Cross - Director, Office of the Chief Executive
Karen Hope-Cross
Karen Hope-Cross is Director, Office of the Chief Executive. She supports the Chief Executive to lead the Department and undertake his leadership responsibilities across the public sector. This includes supporting the performance of the Department as a member of the Executive Leadership Team and facilitating effective relationships with other stakeholders and agencies. The Director also provides strategic advice to the Chief Executive, may lead special projects, and acts as the Chief Executive’s delegate when required.
Karen joined the Department in 2008 and has previously held roles in the Digital Public Service, Toi Hiranga, Local Government, and Service Delivery and Operations branches. Prior to her time with Te Tari Taiwhenua, Karen worked at TelstraClear. Karen holds a Bachelor of Business (Management).
The following people work alongside Karen in the Office of the Chief Executive:
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
|
Rebecca Tane |
Principal Advisor |
|
Elaine Loon |
Executive Services Officer to the Chief Executive |
|
Julia Boraston |
Senior Communications Advisor |
Michael Lovett - Deputy Chief Executive Ue te Hīnātore - Local Government
Michael Lovett
Michael is Deputy Chief Executive for the Local Government branch - Ue te Hīnātore.
Michael provides capability and network intelligence to support a range of activities across central government agencies that interface with local government. His role covers the central North Island with portfolios covering digital local government, funding and financing of local government and community resilience.
Michael has worked in a variety of senior management roles in operational and policy agencies across the New Zealand public sector including the Ministry of Social Development, Ministry for the Environment and Department of Corrections. He started his career as a forensic psychologist and holds a Bachelor of Science and an Executive Master of Public Administration.
Michael has responsibility for the following portfolios: Digital Local Government Partnership; Inquiry into Funding of Local Government; Community Resilience; Partnership Director, LGNZ Zone 3: Central North Island.
As Deputy Chief Executive Local Government - Ue te Hīnātore, Michael has the following people reporting to him:
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
|
Hamiora Bowkett |
Executive Director |
|
Heather Shotter |
Executive Director |
|
Janine Dowding |
Executive Director |
|
Justine Smith |
Partnership Director, LGNZ Zone 1 |
|
Maria Nepia |
Acting Executive Director |
|
Martyn Pinckard |
Partnership Director, LGNZ Zone 3 and 4 |
|
Paul Barker |
Partnership Director, LGNZ Zone 5 |
|
Warren Ulusele |
Partnership Director, LGNZ Zone 6 |
|
Richard Ward |
General Manager Policy and Operations |
|
Mark Batt |
Manager Branch Strategy and Performance |
Amy Allison – Deputy Chief Executive He Pou Aronui - Organisational Strategy and Performance
Amy Allison
Amy Allison is the Deputy Chief Executive of the Department’s Organisational Strategy and Performance Branch – Te Urungi.
A proud public servant, Amy is currently on secondment from her role as Director, Agricultural and Investment Services Strategy and Governance at Ministry of Primary Industries. A career that began 25 years ago in community development under Parekura Horomia, she brings a community perspective to central government and a strong commitment to service.
Most recently holding senior roles at MPI, the Treasury and the State Services Commission specialising in governance, public sector financial management and strategy, she has also led work on open government and is a diversity and inclusion champion.
Amy is a Public Service Leadership Centre Fellow and she holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science from Otago and an MBA from Victoria.
As Deputy Chief Executive Organisational Strategy and Performance - Te Urungi, Amy has the following people reporting to her:
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
|
Jo Tuapawa |
Director, Strategy and Performance |
|
Andrea Speir |
Chief Legal Advisor |
|
Nick Athea |
Chief Portfolio Officer |
|
Cathrine Austin |
Manager Governance Risk and Assurance |
|
Andrew Phillips |
Manager Branch Development and Support |
|
Julie Black |
Director Te Aka Taiwhenua and Māori Crown Relationships |
Ann-Marie Cavanagh - Deputy Chief Executive Te Kōtui Whitiwhiti - Digital Public Service,
Deputy Government Chief Digital Officer
Ann-Marie Cavanagh
Ann-Marie is Deputy Government Chief Digital Officer and Deputy Chief Executive Digital Public Service - Te Kōtui Whitiwhiti.
Her most recent role was leading the development of the New Zealand Digital Government Strategy as Director, Digital Government Strategy.
Previous roles have included Chief Technology and Digital Services Officer at the Ministry of Health. Prior to moving to New Zealand in 2016 she was Head Digital Strategy at Novartis Pharma AG for the Medical Affairs function based in Switzerland.
She has held a number of positions in ranging from small start-up agencies, to leading global teams in implementing digital innovation. Originally from the UK and a Clinical Pharmacologist by training, Ann-Marie is based in Wellington New Zealand.
As Deputy Chief Executive Digital Public Service - Te Kōtui Whitiwhiti, Ann-Marie has the following people reporting to her:
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
|
Colin Holden |
General Manager System Strategy and Initiatives |
|
Alan Bell |
General Manager Agency Partnerships and Capability |
|
Jane Kennedy |
General Manager All-of-Government Services Delivery |
|
Christine Casserly |
Director Planning, Performance and Support |
|
Currently vacant |
Director Te Pou Matihiko |
|
Tony Eyles |
Executive Director Cloud Programme |
|
Mike West |
Chief Advisor to the Deputy Chief Executive |
|
Philip Weir |
Establishment Director - Digital Investment Office |
Hoani Lambert - Hautū - Deputy Chief Executive Te Haumi - Enterprise Partnerships
Hoani Lambert
Hoani Lambert (Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāti Porou) is Hautū - Deputy Chief Executive for Enterprise Partnerships - Te Haumi. In this role, Hoani oversees a number of important functions and entities, including the National Library, Archives New Zealand and Ministerial and Secretariat Services. He also is responsible for delivering major transformation projects and programmes including Tāhuhu – the programme that includes the upgrade and construction of new purpose-built archives facilities.
Prior to joining DIA, Hoani was Tamariki Advocate, Deputy Chief Executuive voices of Children at Oranga Tamariki – Ministry for Children, a role in which he was responsible for advocating for children and young people’s interests across the government system, ensuring their voices are at the centre of government policy, service design and delivery. He was also responsible for overseeing the Ministry’s implementation of new legislative duties in relation to the Treaty of Waitangi.
Although a specialist in communications, public relations and social marketing, Hoani has had a diverse range of professional roles. He has worked in parliament, directed biosecurity border operations and worked as a diplomat with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Hoani holds an Executive Master in Public Administration (EMPA) through the Australia and New Zealand School of Government (ANZSOG).
As Deputy Chief Executive Enterprise Partnerships - Te Haumi, Hoani has the following people reporting to him:
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
|
Epi Lima |
Executive Assistant |
|
Rachel Esson |
National Librarian Te Pouhuaki, General Manager of National Library of New Zealand |
|
Stephen Clarke |
Chief Archivist Kaipupuri Matua, General Manager of Archives New Zealand |
|
Morag Ingram |
Director Te Tari o te Hautū Office of the Deputy Chief Executive |
|
Duncan Boennic |
General Manager Te Ara Tahi |
|
Briget Ridden |
General Manager Ministerial Services |
|
Hugh Karena |
Director Māori Relationships and Strategy |
|
Blair Cairncross |
Executive Director Gambling Commission |
Marilyn Little - Deputy Chief Executive Toi Hiranga - Regulation and Policy
Marilyn Little
Marilyn joined the Department in 2006. She was appointed Deputy Chief Executive of Policy, Regulation and Communities in October 2017. Marilyn has held a number of roles in the Department, including Chief Archivist/General Manager of Archives NZ for three and a half years. She was previously General Manager of the Policy Group, and Director Local Government and Community Policy. Prior to her work with Internal Affairs, Marilyn held senior roles in the Office of the Auditor-General and the Department of Labour.
Marilyn has completed the Leadership Development Centre’s Advanced Leadership Programme, and holds a Master of Public Policy and a BA Honours in History.
As Deputy Chief Executive Regulation and Policy - Toi Hiranga, Marilyn has the following people reporting to her:
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
|
Dr Suzanne Doig |
General Manager Policy |
|
Anita Balakrishnan |
Director Ministerial, Monitoring and Capability |
|
Caroline BridglandHill |
General Manager Regulatory Services |
|
Penny Langley |
Manager Local Government Commission |
|
Gina Smith |
Director Inquiries |
|
Trina Lowry |
Manager Branch Strategy and Performance |
|
Andrew Fieldsend |
Chief Advisor, Regulatory Assurance and Stewardship |
Maria Robertson - Deputy Chief Executive Kāwai ki te Iwi - Service Delivery and Operations
Maria Robertson
Maria Robertson has held the role of Deputy Chief Executive, Service Delivery and Operations - Kāwai ki te Iwi, since February 2013.
She leads a team of 900 staff in the passports, citizenship, births, deaths and marriages, community operations, charities and igovt areas.
Before this, Maria was the DCE for Service Delivery at Building and Housing where she was the deputy Chief Executive Organisational Development and Strategy.
Prior to that, Maria was the General Manager Advanced Dynamics (NZ) Ltd and Manager Performance Improvement Woodproducts at Carter Holt Harvey. She has also held senior roles in Telecom Comalco and Rio Tinto.
As Deputy Chief Executive Service Delivery and Operations - Kāwai ki te Iwi, Maria has the following people reporting to her:
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
|
Jeff Montgomery |
General Manager Te Ara Manaaki, and Registrar General for Births, Deaths and Marriages |
|
Natasha Weight |
General Manager Operations |
|
Tiffany Scott |
Manager Branch Development and Support |
|
Leonie Matoe |
Acting General Manager Community Operations |
|
Mike Stone |
General Manager Charities Services |
|
Justin Rowlands |
General Manager Te Pou Manawa |
|
Lynette Tyrrell |
Director Pou Ārahi |
|
Julia Wootton |
General Manager Services and Access |
Clare Toufexis - Deputy Chief Executive He Pou Aronui - Organisational Capability and Services Branch
Clare Toufexis
Clare Toufexis has been acting in the Deputy Chief Executive Organisational Capability and Services - He Pou Aronui since July 2022. Clare’s substantive role is General Manager Hāpai Hapori (Community Operations) here at Te Tari Taiwhenua.
Clare has worked at Te Tari Taiwhenua since 2016, joining from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment. Clare has worked in a variety of leadership roles across the public sector since 2003 and prior to that worked in the private sector in banking and recruitment.
As Deputy Chief Executive Organisational Capability and Services - He Pou Aronui, Clare has the following people reporting to her:
| Name | Title |
|---|---|
|
Melanie Carpinter |
General Manager Communications |
|
Simon George |
General Manager Human Resources |
|
Murray Davey |
General Manager Technology Services and Solutions, Chief Information Officer |
|
Sharyn Mitchell |
Chief Financial Officer |
|
Kate Maxwell |
Manager Branch Development and Support |
|
Karlene Symonds |
General Manager Information and Safety, Chief Security Officer |
