PM Christopher Luxon announces Sir Brian Roche as next Public Service Commissioner at post-Cabinet press conference
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has announced the appointment of Sir Brian Roche as the next Public Service Commissioner.
Roche will begin his new role on November 4. His appointment is until June 2027, a term of two years and eight months.
Luxon is hosting his weekly post-Cabinet press conference this afternoon – one year on from the 2023 election that thrust his party into Government with coalition partners NZ First and Act.
The press conference will be live-streamed at the top of this article from 4pm.
STORY CONTINUES AFTER LIVE BLOG
Scott Palmer
This press conference is now over.
Ferry issues and progress
Scott Palmer
On the future of Interisland ferries, Willis said the Cook Strait required ferries that could take rail freight - "there are a number of ways of achieving that."
After recent issues with the Bluebridge, Willis said whether or not we had a reliable ferry service was for New Zealanders to judge.
Reflecting on one year in the job, Luxon said the only regret would be if they did not go fast enough on some things.
"I'm only really looking forward ... thinking, how do we go faster?"
On the Abuse in Care inquiry, Luxon said there was a complex set of recommendations.
"They are complex, they took six years to generate that report, we are working at pace ... and we're going to do everything we can to make sure it doesn't happen again.."
HMNZS Manawanui
Scott Palmer
On the sunken Navy ship, Luxon said he had not been briefed as to whether it would be salvaged or left as a wreck.
"The good news is the main fuel tanks are intact at this point in time."
Luxon said he wanted "ruthless focus" on the task of cleaning up the sunken vessel.
New Public Service Commissioner
Scott Palmer
Luxon said he was "really pleased" the Government was able to secure someone of Roche's calibre.
Willis said she had asked him to apply for the role.
"In asking him to apply, he made it clear that (there) was going to be a sacrifice from his family," Willis said.
She added that due to this, Roche's term would be shorter, between two and three years, than previous commissioners who worked five-year terms.
"We have been asked to judged by - are New Zealanders receiving better services?
"We are confident there is the potential to do a lot more."
Luxon said Roche had been endorsed by every political leader in Parliament, describing him as a man with mana and calibre.
Luxon on Israel
Scott Palmer
On Israel targetting UN peacekeepers, Luxon said it was "utterly" unacceptable.
"The whole world is outraged Israel is targetting UN facilities," he said.
Sir Brian Roche's appointment
Scott Palmer
On the appointment of Sir Brian Roche as Public Service Commissioner, Luxon said he had "built the trust and confidence" of ministers.
Roche has been holding a number of directorships - he would resign from a number of these. He would retain a few with prior approvals.
Combating inflation
Scott Palmer
Speaking about inflation, Luxon said "we certainly aren't out of the woods yet" but "the contours" of an economic recovery was starting to take shape.
Willis, who is also the Finance Minister, says the latest data showed "neither the books nor economy" were in "great shape."
But some actions from the Government were beginning to have an effect.
Willis said it was "early days" and there was still work to do, but their actions to rebuild the economy was taking shape.
Post-Cabinet conference starts
Scott Palmer
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is joined by Public Service Minister Nicola Willis.
Luxon has announced the country's next Public Service Commissioner will be Sir Brian Roche - who he described as "a highly respected New Zealander."
Luxon said the role of Public Service Commissioner was a "crucial leadership position" and Roche had "a proven track record of leadership and delivering results and has strong networks in the public sector and business community".
“He has extensive experience working with stakeholders, including several iwi, and has the capability and credibility to lead public service Chief Executives. He will play a critical part in the public service’s work to meet the Government’s ambitious targets."
Prime Minister Luxon holds press conference
Scott Palmer
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon is holding his weekly post-Cabinet press conference on Monday.
It comes one year on from the 2023 election that thrust his party into Government along with coalition partners NZ First and Act.
The press conference will be live-streamed at the top of this article from 4pm.
STORY CONTINUES
On the appointment of Roche as Public Service Commissioner, Luxon said he had “built the trust and confidence” of ministers.
Speaking about inflation, Luxon said “we certainly aren’t out of the woods yet” but “the contours” of an economic recovery was starting to take shape.
Luxon is fresh back from a trip to Laos for the East Asia Summit (EAS) where he met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the first time as he continues his efforts to secure a free trade agreement (FTA) with the populous Asian nation.
During the election campaign a year ago, Luxon promised a deal would be secured in his first term.
1News Verian poll results released today show 30% of people think the country is in better shape than on election day a year ago, 40% think it is in worse shape and 26% think little has changed.
1News says the full poll results will be released tonight.
As 1News reported, one question in the poll had asked about the shape of the country a year on: “Do you think the country is in a worse shape or a better shape or no different than it was before the election?”
In response, 40% said it was in worse shape, 30% said in better shape and 26% said no different. Just 4% did not know or refused to say.
This is the second political poll to be released in a matter of days. On Friday, the Taxpayers’ Union-Curia poll for October showed National’s support had dropped and Labour’s increased as the gap between the two parties narrowed.
While National’s support dropped 4.1 percentage points to 34.9% – its lowest result in 15 months from the polling outfit – Labour’s 30.3% result was up 3.6 points on the last poll in September.
Luxon himself was down 5 percentage points to 27.7% in the preferred PM rankings and Labour leader Chris Hipkins jumped 4.3 points to 16.9%.
The poll, conducted between October 3 and 7, came amid protest action against the Government’s decision concerning the redevelopment of Dunedin Hospital and its progression of fast-track consenting legislation.
Asked about the dipping poll result while in Laos, Luxon said “I just don’t care.”
“Whether we go up or down in the polls, as you know, I have the same position, which is I just don’t care.
“I’m focused on making sure I deliver for New Zealanders and we’ve got a plan – our plan is starting to work – and my job is to demonstrate to New Zealanders for 2026 that the country’s in better hands and is in a better place as a result of our Government.”
Julia Gabel is a Wellington-based political reporter. She joined the Herald in 2020 and has most recently focused on data journalism.