New Zealand Chief Ombudsman
Encyclopedia
New Zealand's Chief Ombudsman (Nga Kaitiaki Mana Tangata in Maori
) is appointed by the Governor-General of New Zealand
on recommendation of the House of Representatives
to oversee investigation of complaints against government departments, and report, with recommendations, to Parliament.
The post of Ombudsman
was established in New Zealand in 1962. Sir Guy Powles
, the last governor of Samoa
, served as the first Ombudsman. In 1975, the number of ombudsmen was expanded, with Powles assuming the role of Chief Ombudsman and an unspecified number of other ombudsmen.
In 2005, Chief Ombudsman John Belgrave
was rocketed to national prominence after he forced the Prime Minister Helen Clark
to release treasury costings of her controversial interest-free student loan
programme. Clark reluctantly did so, and it was revealed that she and Minister of Finance Michael Cullen had grossly understated the cost of it.
In 2003, John Belgrave
was appointed the country's Chief Ombudsman; however, he later died in office on December 3, 2007 due to cancer.
Beverley Wakem is currently the Chief Ombudsman and David McGee is Ombudsman. On April 14, 2008 the Officers of Parliament Committee recommended that Wakem's appointment be made permanent (as she was the "acting" Ombudsman up until that point).
Maori language
Māori or te reo Māori , commonly te reo , is the language of the indigenous population of New Zealand, the Māori. It has the status of an official language in New Zealand...
) is appointed by the Governor-General of New Zealand
Governor-General of New Zealand
The Governor-General of New Zealand is the representative of the monarch of New Zealand . The Governor-General acts as the Queen's vice-regal representative in New Zealand and is often viewed as the de facto head of state....
on recommendation of the House of Representatives
New Zealand House of Representatives
The New Zealand House of Representatives is the sole chamber of the legislature of New Zealand. The House and the Queen of New Zealand form the New Zealand Parliament....
to oversee investigation of complaints against government departments, and report, with recommendations, to Parliament.
The post of Ombudsman
Ombudsman
An ombudsman is a person who acts as a trusted intermediary between an organization and some internal or external constituency while representing not only but mostly the broad scope of constituent interests...
was established in New Zealand in 1962. Sir Guy Powles
Guy Powles
Sir Guy Richardson Powles, ONZ, KBE, CMG . New Zealand diplomat, last Governor of Western Samoa and architect of Samoan independence, and first Ombudsman.-Early life:...
, the last governor of Samoa
Samoa
Samoa , officially the Independent State of Samoa, formerly known as Western Samoa is a country encompassing the western part of the Samoan Islands in the South Pacific Ocean. It became independent from New Zealand in 1962. The two main islands of Samoa are Upolu and one of the biggest islands in...
, served as the first Ombudsman. In 1975, the number of ombudsmen was expanded, with Powles assuming the role of Chief Ombudsman and an unspecified number of other ombudsmen.
In 2005, Chief Ombudsman John Belgrave
John Belgrave
Maurice "John" Belgrave, DCNZM , was a senior public servant and Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand.-Education:...
was rocketed to national prominence after he forced the Prime Minister 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...
to release treasury costings of her controversial interest-free student loan
Student loan
A student loan is designed to help students pay for university tuition, books, and living expenses. It may differ from other types of loans in that the interest rate may be substantially lower and the repayment schedule may be deferred while the student is still in education...
programme. Clark reluctantly did so, and it was revealed that she and Minister of Finance Michael Cullen had grossly understated the cost of it.
In 2003, John Belgrave
John Belgrave
Maurice "John" Belgrave, DCNZM , was a senior public servant and Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand.-Education:...
was appointed the country's Chief Ombudsman; however, he later died in office on December 3, 2007 due to cancer.
Beverley Wakem is currently the Chief Ombudsman and David McGee is Ombudsman. On April 14, 2008 the Officers of Parliament Committee recommended that Wakem's appointment be made permanent (as she was the "acting" Ombudsman up until that point).
List of Chief Ombudsmen
- Sir Guy PowlesGuy PowlesSir Guy Richardson Powles, ONZ, KBE, CMG . New Zealand diplomat, last Governor of Western Samoa and architect of Samoan independence, and first Ombudsman.-Early life:...
, ONZ KBE ED (Official title was simply "Ombudsman" until 1975) - 1962-1977 - Sir George LakingGeorge LakingSir George Robert Laking, KCMG, was a New Zealand diplomat who served as High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Ambassador to the United States, Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Chief Ombudsman.-Early life:...
, KCMG - 1977-1984 - Lester CastleLester CastleLester Castle was the Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand from 1984 to 1986. In this role, he was responsible for investigating complaints against central and local government agencies, including Ministers of the Crown....
- 1984-1986 - Sir John Robertson - 1986-1994
- Sir Brian Elwood - 1994-2003
- John BelgraveJohn BelgraveMaurice "John" Belgrave, DCNZM , was a senior public servant and Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand.-Education:...
, DCNZM - 2003-2007 - Beverley Wakem, CBE - 2008-Present