John Whitehead (New Zealand)
Encyclopedia
John H. Whitehead, CNZM
, is a former Secretary of the New Zealand
Treasury
, having been appointed in April 2003. He succeeded Alan Bollard
.
with Honours in mathematics
and a Master of Commerce
with First Class Honours in economics
.
Before joining Treasury, Whitehead worked in the Statistics Department
and was Deputy Director of the Labour Party Research Unit (1977–82). He holds a Masters of Commerce (Hons.) in Economics and a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Mathematics from the University of Canterbury
.
Between 1985 and 1992, he worked as an Economic Adviser in the Prime Minister's Office
and David Lange
's government
(1985–88), and as a Minister (Economic) at the New Zealand High Commission in London. Whitehead was appointed as Treasury Secretary and chief executive on 8 April 2003.
Whitehead was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit
in the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services as Secretary to the Treasury.
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...
, is a former Secretary of the 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...
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...
, having been appointed in April 2003. He succeeded Alan Bollard
Alan Bollard
Alan Bollard is the current governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand, having been appointed on 23 September 2002. He succeeded Donald Brash in this role....
.
Early career
Whitehead gained a Bachelor of ScienceBachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
with Honours in mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
and a Master of Commerce
Master of Commerce
Master of Commerce is a postgraduate Masters Degree focusing on commerce-, management- and economics-related subjects. Like the undergraduate Bachelor of Commerce, the degree is offered in Commonwealth nations.-Structure:The Master of Commerce typically requires one year of full-time study...
with First Class Honours in economics
Economics
Economics is the social science that analyzes the production, distribution, and consumption of goods and services. The term economics comes from the Ancient Greek from + , hence "rules of the house"...
.
Before joining Treasury, Whitehead worked in the Statistics Department
Statistics New Zealand
Statistics New Zealand is the national statistical office of New Zealand.-Organisation:New Zealand's Minister of Statistics is Maurice Williamson who serves as a member of the New Zealand House of Representatives and holds several other posts within government...
and was Deputy Director of the Labour Party Research Unit (1977–82). He holds a Masters of Commerce (Hons.) in Economics and a B.Sc. (Hons.) in Mathematics from the University of Canterbury
University of Canterbury
The University of Canterbury , New Zealand's second-oldest university, operates its main campus in the suburb of Ilam in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand...
.
Treasury
Whitehead joined Treasury in 1982, subsequently filling positions as Director of Macroeconomic Policy and Director of Tax Policy and International Economics. He was appointed Deputy Secretary and Branch Manager of Corporate Services in 1996.Between 1985 and 1992, he worked as an Economic Adviser in the Prime Minister's Office
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...
and David Lange
David Lange
David Russell Lange, ONZ, CH , served as the 32nd Prime Minister of New Zealand from 1984 to 1989. He headed New Zealand's fourth Labour Government, one of the most reforming administrations in his country's history, but one which did not always conform to traditional expectations of a...
's government
Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand
The Fourth Labour Government of New Zealand was the government of New Zealand from 26 July 1984 to 2 November 1990. It enacted major social and economic reforms, including reformation of the tax system. The economic reforms were known as Rogernomics after Finance Minister Roger Douglas...
(1985–88), and as a Minister (Economic) at the New Zealand High Commission in London. Whitehead was appointed as Treasury Secretary and chief executive on 8 April 2003.
Whitehead was made a 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 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours, for services as Secretary to the Treasury.