Mark Prebble
Encyclopedia
Mark Prebble CNZM
(born 1951) is a former New Zealand civil servant. He was the State Services Commissioner
, head of New Zealand's public service from May 2004 until 30 June 2008. On 25 January 2008, Prebble announced his retirement after 32 years in the Public Service.
Prebble was born in Auckland
, New Zealand
, the youngest son of Kenneth Prebble, a one-time Anglican Archdeacon of St Matthew's in Auckland, and Mary. He has five siblings, two brothers are former Labour Cabinet Minister and ACT Party leader Richard Prebble
and Victoria University Law Professor John Prebble.
Prebble was educated at the University of Auckland
, where he graduated with an MA in Economics, and at Victoria University of Wellington
, where he earned a doctorate in public policy. Prebble tutored economics at Auckland and Wellington.
Prebble joined the Treasury
in 1977, rising to Deputy Secretary of the Department, and acted as Acting Secretary twice. While in non-executive roles at the Treasury, he was an organiser for the Public Service Association, the principal trade union for public servants.
In 1998, Prebble became Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
, succeeding Simon Murdoch
. At the time, Labour Opposition leader Helen Clark
criticised the appointment, describing Prebble as an "apostle of the New Right". Upon winning the 1999 election, however, Clark reappointed Prebble to the role, and is understood to have worked closely with him. While Secretary Prebble received publicity for describing Work and Income New Zealand chief executive Christine Rankin's clothes as "indecent". He was involved in the Corngate
affair, for not releasing four documents after Clark ordered all official papers to be released during the 2002 election campaign.
In 2004, Prebble was appointed State Services Commission
er, as the head of New Zealand's public service, succeeding Michael Wintringham
. He was involved in investigations into the dismissal of the Environment ministry communications manager Madeleine Setchell, which led to the resignation of Environment Minister David Benson-Pope
. Prebble docked himself 2.5 percent of his own pay over the dismissal, after an inquiry found Prebble forgot to mention a conversation he had with Benson-Pope.
Prebble's first wife died in a blizzard on Aoraki/Mount Cook
. He remarried, and has two sons and two daughters.
He was made Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
in the New Year Honours 2009, for public services.
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
(born 1951) is a former New Zealand civil servant. He was the State Services Commissioner
State Services Commissioner
The State Services Commissioner is the chief executive of New Zealand's State Services Commission and has a range of responsibilities for the Public Service, the State Services and the wider state sector...
, head of New Zealand's public service from May 2004 until 30 June 2008. On 25 January 2008, Prebble announced his retirement after 32 years in the Public Service.
Prebble was born in Auckland
Auckland
The Auckland metropolitan area , in the North Island of New Zealand, is the largest and most populous urban area in the country with residents, percent of the country's population. Auckland also has the largest Polynesian population of any city in the world...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
, the youngest son of Kenneth Prebble, a one-time Anglican Archdeacon of St Matthew's in Auckland, and Mary. He has five siblings, two brothers are former Labour Cabinet Minister and ACT Party leader Richard Prebble
Richard Prebble
Richard William Prebble CBE, born 7 February 1948, was for many years a member of the New Zealand Parliament. Initially a member of the Labour Party, he joined the newly formed ACT New Zealand party under Roger Douglas in 1996.-Early and personal life:...
and Victoria University Law Professor John Prebble.
Prebble was educated at the University of Auckland
University of Auckland
The University of Auckland is a university located in Auckland, New Zealand. It is the largest university in the country and the highest ranked in the 2011 QS World University Rankings, having been ranked worldwide...
, where he graduated with an MA in Economics, and at Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington
Victoria University of Wellington was established in 1897 by Act of Parliament, and was a former constituent college of the University of New Zealand. It is particularly well known for its programmes in law, the humanities, and some scientific disciplines, but offers a broad range of other courses...
, where he earned a doctorate in public policy. Prebble tutored economics at Auckland and Wellington.
Prebble joined the Treasury
New Zealand Treasury
The New Zealand Treasury is a public sector organisation and the Government’s lead advisor on economic and financial policy. Its role is to help the Government improve economic performance and manage scarce resources...
in 1977, rising to Deputy Secretary of the Department, and acted as Acting Secretary twice. While in non-executive roles at the Treasury, he was an organiser for the Public Service Association, the principal trade union for public servants.
In 1998, Prebble became Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (New Zealand)
The Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet of New Zealand is the department charged with supporting the Prime Minister of New Zealand and their Cabinet...
, succeeding Simon Murdoch
Simon Murdoch
Simon Murdoch, CNZM is a New Zealand diplomat and public servant. He was New Zealand’s Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade and was previously New Zealand High Commissioner to Canberra, and Chief Executive of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.-Early life and education:Murdoch attended...
. At the time, Labour Opposition leader Helen Clark
Helen Clark
Helen Elizabeth Clark, ONZ is a New Zealand political figure who was the 37th Prime Minister of New Zealand for three consecutive terms from 1999 to 2008...
criticised the appointment, describing Prebble as an "apostle of the New Right". Upon winning the 1999 election, however, Clark reappointed Prebble to the role, and is understood to have worked closely with him. While Secretary Prebble received publicity for describing Work and Income New Zealand chief executive Christine Rankin's clothes as "indecent". He was involved in the Corngate
Corngate
"Corngate" was a political scandal which took place in New Zealand in 2002 and involved the suspected release of genetically modified corn seed in 2000. The possibility of the presence of a small percentage of GE corn in a seed shipment from the U.S. was raised publicly by Nicky Hager in his book...
affair, for not releasing four documents after Clark ordered all official papers to be released during the 2002 election campaign.
In 2004, Prebble was appointed State Services Commission
State Services Commission
The State Services Commission , formerly the Public Service Commission, is a central government agency within the New Zealand government. The current State Services Commissioner is Iain Rennie...
er, as the head of New Zealand's public service, succeeding Michael Wintringham
Michael Wintringham
Michael Charles Wintringham CNZM is a New Zealand public servant. He served as State Services Commissioner, head of New Zealand's public service, from 1997 to 2004....
. He was involved in investigations into the dismissal of the Environment ministry communications manager Madeleine Setchell, which led to the resignation of Environment Minister David Benson-Pope
David Benson-Pope
David Henry Benson-Pope is a New Zealand Labour Party politician who sat in the Parliament of New Zealand from 1999 to 2008. He formerly served as a cabinet minister....
. Prebble docked himself 2.5 percent of his own pay over the dismissal, after an inquiry found Prebble forgot to mention a conversation he had with Benson-Pope.
Prebble's first wife died in a blizzard on Aoraki/Mount Cook
Aoraki/Mount Cook
Aoraki / Mount Cook is the highest mountain in New Zealand, reaching .It lies in the Southern Alps, the mountain range which runs the length of the South Island. A popular tourist destination, it is also a favourite challenge for mountain climbers...
. He remarried, and has two sons and two daughters.
He was made Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
New Zealand Order of Merit
The New Zealand Order of Merit is an order established in 1996 "for those persons who in any field of endeavour, have rendered meritorious service to the Crown and nation or who have become distinguished by their eminence, talents, contributions or other merits."The order includes five...
in the New Year Honours 2009, for public services.