Michael Wintringham
Encyclopedia
Michael Charles Wintringham CNZM
(born 1947) is a New Zealand
public servant. He served as State Services Commissioner
, head of New Zealand's public service, from 1997 to 2004.
Wintringham was born in Blenheim
, went to St John's College, Hastings
, and has a BA (Hons) degree from Victoria University of Wellington
. He started his career in the New Zealand Treasury in 1970, and between 1980 and 1984 was posted to Washington as Economic Counsellor at the New Zealand Embassy. He then worked as an Assistant Auditor-General, before leaving the public service to work for a management consultancy in Wellington.
Wintringham was appointed Chief Executive of the Ministry of Housing by State Services Commissioner Don Hunn
. In 1997, Wintringham succeeded Hunn as State Services Commissioner and head of New Zealand's public service.
In 2001, Wintringham was sued in the Employment Court for NZ$1.2 million by former Work and Income New Zealand Chief Executive Christine Rankin. Incoming Social Welfare Minister Steve Maharey
criticised Rankin's personal and management style as chief executive in 1999, and Wintringham chose not to reappoint Rankin to the role in 2001. Rankin made allegations of sexism towards her by officials and Ministers. Rankin lost the court case, but some of the evidence given during the hearing by Wintringham and DPMC
chief executive Mark Prebble
was embarrassing to all involved, and was the dominant political news topic of the year.
Mark Prebble succeeded Wintringham as State Services Commissioner in 2004. Wintringham subsequently became a member of the Remuneration Authority, which sets the rate of pay for MPs, since 2005, and was appointed chairman of the authority in 2009. Wintringham is also chairman of the Earthquake Commission
.
He was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2005 New Year Honours, for public services as State Services Commissioner.
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 1947) is a 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...
public servant. He served as 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 1997 to 2004.
Wintringham was born in Blenheim
Blenheim, New Zealand
Blenheim is the most populous town in the region of Marlborough, in the north east of the South Island of New Zealand, and the seat of the regional council. It has a population of The area which surrounds the town is well known as a centre of New Zealand's wine industry...
, went to St John's College, Hastings
St John's College, Hastings
St John's College is a State Integrated, Catholic, Day School for boys, located in Hastings, a provincial city in Hawkes Bay, New Zealand.Founded in 1941 by the Marist Fathers, St John's College has a non-selective enrolment policy and currently caters for approximately 450 students from Year 9 ...
, and has a BA (Hons) degree from 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...
. He started his career in the New Zealand Treasury in 1970, and between 1980 and 1984 was posted to Washington as Economic Counsellor at the New Zealand Embassy. He then worked as an Assistant Auditor-General, before leaving the public service to work for a management consultancy in Wellington.
Wintringham was appointed Chief Executive of the Ministry of Housing by State Services Commissioner Don Hunn
Don Hunn
Donald Kent Hunn CNZM is a senior New Zealand diplomat and civil servant. Hunn is the son of Sir Jack Hunn, a former Secretary of Defence, Maori Affairs, and Justice.-Education:...
. In 1997, Wintringham succeeded Hunn as State Services Commissioner and head of New Zealand's public service.
In 2001, Wintringham was sued in the Employment Court for NZ$1.2 million by former Work and Income New Zealand Chief Executive Christine Rankin. Incoming Social Welfare Minister Steve Maharey
Steve Maharey
Steven "Steve" Maharey CNZM is a former Member of Parliament for Palmerston North in New Zealand, as a member of the Labour Party...
criticised Rankin's personal and management style as chief executive in 1999, and Wintringham chose not to reappoint Rankin to the role in 2001. Rankin made allegations of sexism towards her by officials and Ministers. Rankin lost the court case, but some of the evidence given during the hearing by Wintringham and DPMC
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...
chief executive Mark Prebble
Mark Prebble
Mark Prebble CNZM 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...
was embarrassing to all involved, and was the dominant political news topic of the year.
Mark Prebble succeeded Wintringham as State Services Commissioner in 2004. Wintringham subsequently became a member of the Remuneration Authority, which sets the rate of pay for MPs, since 2005, and was appointed chairman of the authority in 2009. Wintringham is also chairman of the Earthquake Commission
Earthquake Commission
The Earthquake Commission provides primary natural disaster insurance to the owners of residential properties in New Zealand. The Government-owned Crown entity manages assets of $5.93 billion NZD...
.
He was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2005 New Year Honours, for public services as State Services Commissioner.