Secretary of the Cabinet (New Zealand)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Secretary of the Cabinet of New Zealand
Coat of arms of New Zealand.svg
Coat of arms of New Zealand
Flag of New Zealand.svg
Flag of New Zealand
Incumbent

since 18 March 2014
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
Member of
Reports toGovernor-General of New Zealand
SeatWellington
NominatorPrime Minister
AppointerGovernor-General of New Zealand
on the advice of the Prime Minister
Term lengthAt Her Majesty's pleasure
FormationJanuary 1864
First holderWilliam Gisborne
Salary$212,450[1]
WebsiteDepartment of Prime Minister and Cabinet
Politics of New Zealand
Coat of arms of New Zealand.svg
Constitution
The Crown
Executive government
Legislature
53rd New Zealand Parliament
Elections
Judiciary
Local government
Foreign relations
Ideology
Related topics
Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand portal
  • Other countries
  • v
  • t

The Secretary of the Cabinet is a senior public servant in New Zealand. The Cabinet Secretary is usually the Clerk of the Executive Council, and is responsible for the impartial recording of Cabinet decisions and for the development and administration of Cabinet processes. The Secretary is also responsible to Cabinet as a collective for ensuring the confidentiality of Cabinet proceedings and the impartial and effective operation of the Cabinet system.[2] The current Cabinet Secretary and Clerk of the Executive Council is .[3]

Responsibilities and powers[]

The Cabinet Secretary heads the Cabinet Office, which while part of the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet, it is autonomous. The Cabinet Secretary is formally appointed by the Governor-General by warrant under the Letters Patent Act, on the advice of the Prime Minister. The post has two principal roles that are designed to ensure continuity of constitutional government and provide support to administer the operations of the New Zealand Government.[4]

As the Clerk of the Executive Council, the Clerk acts on behalf of the Governor-General by providing a channel of communication and liaison between the government and the Governor-General, providing advice to the Governor-General, and administering the New Zealand royal honours system.[5]

The Cabinet Secretary is the steward of the Cabinet Manual. This document sets out clear descriptions of the key constitutional conventions observed in New Zealand, and describes the underlying structures, principles and values of government. The Cabinet Manual is endorsed at the first Cabinet meeting of a new government, to provide for the orderly re-commencement of the business of government.[6][7]

While similar to its British equivalent, the role has some key differences. For example, authority over the civil service is held by the State Services Commissioner, a separate official. The Cabinet Secretary is highly influential in determining the Government decisions on public law and through their constitutional advice to Cabinet.[8]

History[]

Despite the name, it was not initially a codified practice to have the Cabinet Secretary present at Cabinet meetings, and this was usually at the discretion of the Prime Minister. During the first 84 years, if the Cabinet Secretary was not present, minutes were rarely taken and the Prime Minister or a senior Minister noted Cabinet’s decisions on a Schedule for subsequent recording and distribution by the Cabinet Secretary. Starting in 1946, Foss Shanahan sought to make a number of significant administrative changes to the way Cabinet operated which initially saw him joining Cabinet informally in 1948 and the presence of the Cabinet Secretary was formally adopted in December 1949.[9][10][11] The Cabinet secretariat was set up by Shanahan for the purpose of co-ordination, continuity of action, and review, and to enable the smooth functioning of the work of Cabinet. As Cabinet deliberations are often investigatory or preliminary to action in other organs of Government, they are often informal. While ministers may remain anonymous in their advocacy or opposition to issues discussed, the Cabinet secretariat would record the agreed action.[12][13]

After the separation of New Zealand as a distinct Crown Colony from New South Wales New Zealand formed its first responsible Government in 1856. By 1863 Cabinet had largely taken over the function of the Colonial Executive Council. This led to the establishment of the Secretary to the Cabinet in 1864 with future Colonial Secretary William Gisborne being appointed.[14]

The role required extensive knowledge of the colony and its constitutional underpinnings.[15] In 1889 the role Clerk of the Executive Council was also assumed by then Cabinet Secretary Alexander Willis.[16] This protocol has been largely abided by since, with an only exception occurring at the conclusion of Cecil Jeffery's tenure in 1945 for a period of 24 years[17] when Foss Shanahan assumed the role of Cabinet Secretary and held the position until 1955.[18][19] During this time the Clerk of the Executive Council was held briefly by William Harvey[20][21] and then Thomas Sherrard. The roles would not be combined again until the departure of Cabinet Secretary Albert Perry in 1969 when the then Clerk of the Executive Council, Peter Brooks, assumed the role of Cabinet Secretary.[22] In 1979 Cabinet Secretary Patrick Millen collated and published the first Cabinet Manual, which centralised the practise and procedures of Cabinet into a single document.[23]

When the Prime Ministers Department was established in 1926 then Cabinet Secretary Frank Thomson initially was appointed as its head.[24] Eventually the Head of the Prime Ministers Department would become a separate role, although until the 1960s the roles were interchangeable.

Recent holders of the post have gone on to have successful public service careers. Marie Shroff served in the role from 1987 until 2003[25] and went on to be the Privacy Commissioner.[26] and then chair the New Zealand Electoral Commission.[27] Rebecca Kitteridge served in the role from 2008 until 2013[28] and went on to be the director of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service.[29]

List of Cabinet Secretaries[]

Name Took office Left office Notes
1 William Gisborne[30][31] 1 January 1864 2 July 1869 Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council from 18 August 1862[32][33][34]
2 Felix Edward Wakefield[35] June 1869 1869 Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council
3 William Robert Edward Brown[36][37] 1870 1872 Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council
4 Felix Edward Wakefield[38] 1 July 1872 1 November 1872 Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council
5 William Robert Edward Brown[39][40] 1873 1873 Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council
6 George Sisson Cooper[41][42] 1874 1876 Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council
7 Ebenezer Fox[43][44][45] 1877 April 1884 Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council until 30 May 1889
8 Alexander James Willis[46][47] 1885 30 June 1909 Also Clerk of the Executive Council from 1 June 1889
9 James Frank Andrews[48][49] 1 July 1909 31 March 1919 Also Clerk of the Executive Council
10 Frank David Thomson[50][51] 17 February 1920 14 December 1934 Also Clerk of the Executive Council
11 Cecil Albert Jeffery[52][53] 15 January 1935 31 March 1946 Also Clerk of the Executive Council
12 Foss Michael Shanahan[54][55] December 1945 1955 William Osborne Harvey was Clerk of the Executive Council from 1 April 1946[56] until 31 December 1947[57] and then Thomas James Sherrard was Clerk of the Executive Council from 1 January 1948[58]
13 Richard Lewis Hutchens[59] 1955 1959 Thomas James Sherrard was Clerk of the Executive Council
14 Alfred Raymond Perry[60] 1959 1969 Thomas James Sherrard was Clerk of the Executive Council until 30 June 1967[61]
15 Peter John Brooks[62][63][64] 1969 February 1973 Also Clerk of the Executive Council from 1 July 1967[65]
16 Patrick Graham Millen[66][67] 12 February 1973 21 September 1987 Also Clerk of the Executive Council
17 Marie Warren Shroff[68] 6 October 1987 2003 Also Clerk of the Executive Council
18 Diane Morcom[69] 2003 2008 Also Clerk of the Executive Council
19 Rebecca Lucy Kitteridge[70][71] 26 March 2008 2013 Also Clerk of the Executive Council
20 [72][73] 18 March 2014 Incumbent Also Clerk of the Executive Council

List of Clerks of the Executive Council Prior to 1862[]

Name Took office Left office Notes
1 James Coates[74] 1841 1853
2 Andrew James Richmond[75] 1853 1855
3 Frederick Gordon Steward[76][77][78] 13 September 1855 1861
4 James Holt[79] 15 October 1861 8 February 1862

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ "Parliamentary Salaries and Allowances Determination 2016" (PDF). Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  2. ^ "Secretary of the Cabinet and the Cabinet Office". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  3. ^ "Appointment of new Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  4. ^ "The Role of the Secretary of the Cabinet – The View from the Beehive" (PDF). Ko Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  5. ^ "Clerk of the Executive Council". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  6. ^ Webster, Michael (31 August 2017). "IPANZ Presentation: NZ Cabinet Manual" (PDF). Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  7. ^ "Cabinet Manual". Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. 3 July 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  8. ^ Mclean, Janet (January 2016). "The Unwritten Political Constitution and Its Enemies". The International Journal of Constitutional Law. 14 (1): 119–136. doi:10.1093/icon/mow002. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  9. ^ Martin, John (2015). The Seven Dwarfs and the Age of the Mandarins: Australian Government Administration in the Post-War Reconstruction Era (PDF). ANU Press. p. 98. ISBN 978-1925022322.
  10. ^ Shroff, Marie (31 July 2001). "The Role of the Secretary of the Cabinet – The View from the Beehive" (PDF). Victoria University of Wellington. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  11. ^ Shroff, Marie (31 July 2001). "Whārangi 6. Cabinet Office". Victoria University of Wellington. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  12. ^ "The Official New Zealand Year-Book, 1960". Statistics New Zealand. Statistics New Zealand. 1 July 1960. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  13. ^ McGibbon, Ian (2000). "Shanahan, Foss". The Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  14. ^ Wilson, J. O. (1985). New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984. Wellington: V. R. Ward Government Printer. p. 53.
  15. ^ "Parliament Legislative Council". The New Zealand Times. Volume XXXV Issue 6006 Page 3. 30 June 1880. Retrieved 6 October 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  16. ^ "Parliament House of Representatives". The Evening Post. Volume XL Issue 17 Page 4. 19 July 1890. Retrieved 6 October 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  17. ^ "Long Service Ends". The Evening Post. Volume CXL Issue 78 Page 8. 29 September 1945.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  18. ^ Martin, John (2015). The Seven Dwarfs and the Age of the Mandarins: Australian Government Administration in the Post-War Reconstruction Era (PDF). ANU Press. p. 98. ISBN 978-1925022322.
  19. ^ "NZ Mission in Singapore". The Press. Volume XCI Issue 27683 PAGE 10. 13 June 1955. Retrieved 7 October 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  20. ^ "The New Zealand Gazette" (PDF). New Zealand Government. 12 December 1946. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  21. ^ "The New Zealand Gazette" (PDF). New Zealand Government. 18 December 1947. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  22. ^ "New Zealand News 1972-1974". New Zealand Embassy Washington DC. October 1972. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  23. ^ "Cabinet Manual". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Prime Ministers Department. 23 January 1979. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  24. ^ "The Changes Discussed A New Government Department". The Auckland Star. Volume LVII Issue 15 19 January 1926 Page 14. 19 January 1926. Retrieved 7 October 2021.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: location (link)
  25. ^ "Silent witness reflects on Cabinet". New Zealand Herald. 29 September 2003. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  26. ^ "About Us". Office of the Privacy Commissioner. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  27. ^ "Marie Shroff new Electoral Commission Chair". Electoral Commission. 7 August 2019. Retrieved 15 June 2020.
  28. ^ "Ms Rebecca Kitteridge, Director New Zealand Security Intelligence Service". NZSIS. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  29. ^ "The Trailblazing Women Who Guard Our security", 8 May 2015, ADLSI
  30. ^ "Part Return Showing All Appointments Made by the General Government Since January 1864: Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1865 Session I, D-14". National Library of New Zealand. New Zealand Government. 31 August 1865. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  31. ^ "Penions to Messrs. Fitzherbert, Domett, Gisborne, and Dr. Pollen (Correspondence Relative to the Granting of).Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1880 Session I, B-17". National Library of New Zealand. New Zealand Government. 1880. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  32. ^ "Nominal Roll of the Civil Establishment of New Zealand on the 30th June, 1875". National Library of New Zealand. New Zealand Government. 30 June 1875. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  33. ^ "Goring, Forster, 1810-1893". National Library of New Zealand. National Library of New Zealand. 11 October 2021. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  34. ^ Wilson, J. O. (1985). New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984. Wellington: V. R. Ward Government Printer. p. 99.
  35. ^ "Sir Edward William Stafford G.C.M.G. A Memoir". National Library of New Zealand. New Zealand Government. 1923. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  36. ^ "Nominal Roll of the Civil Establishment of New Zealand on the 1 July 1870". National Library of New Zealand. New Zealand Government. 1 July 1870. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  37. ^ "Nominal Roll of the Civil Establishment of New Zealand on the 1 July 1872". National Library of New Zealand. New Zealand Government. 1 July 1872. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  38. ^ "Untitled". Wellington Independent Volume XXVIII Issue 3886 Page 2. Christchurch. 18 August 1873. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  39. ^ "BALCOMBE-BROWN and BAILLIE Family History" (PDF). Lynly Lessels Yates Genealogy Website. Lynly Lessels Yates. 21 October 2015. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  40. ^ "Telegrams". Star (Christchurch) Issue 1756 Page 2. Christchurch. 13 October 1873. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  41. ^ "Nominal Roll of the Civil Establishment of New Zealand on the 1 July 1874". National Library of New Zealand. New Zealand Government. 1 July 1874. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  42. ^ "Parliamentary Papers". Press Volume XXVI Issue 3379 Page 3. Christchurch. 3 July 1876. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  43. ^ "Advances to the Government by the Bank of New South Wales and the Bank of New Zealand: Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1877 Session I, B-05". National Library of New Zealand. New Zealand Government. 10 January 1977. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  44. ^ "Untitled". Evening Star Issue 6804 Page 2. Dunedin. 8 January 1886. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  45. ^ "Confederation and Annexation (Correspondence with the Agent General): Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1884 Session I, A-03B". National Library of New Zealand. New Zealand Government. 6 October 1883. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  46. ^ "Personal Items". Wairarapa Daily Times Page 4. Masterton. 8 July 1931. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  47. ^ "Local & General News". Marlborough Express Volume XLIII Issue 150 Page 4. Blenheim. 22 March 1909. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  48. ^ "Obituary". Press Volume LVIII Issue 17635 Page 8. Christchurch. 22 December 1922. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  49. ^ "Secretary of the Cabinet". Taranaki Herald Volume LV Issue 13913 Page 2. New Plymouth. 17 March 1909. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  50. ^ "State Official's Death". New Zealand Herald Volume LXXI Issue 21984 Page 15. Auckland. 15 December 1934. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  51. ^ "The New Zealand Gazette" (PDF). New Zealand Government. 11 March 1920. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  52. ^ "MR. C. A. Jeffery, Principal Private Secretary to the Prime Minister, who has been appointed Clerk of the Executive Council and Secretary to Cabinet". Poverty Bay Herald Volume LXII, Issue 18608 Page 14. Gisborne. 19 January 1935. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  53. ^ "The New Zealand Gazette" (PDF). New Zealand Government. 4 October 1945. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  54. ^ "Personal Items". Evening Post Volume CXL Issue 147 Page 8. Wellington. 19 December 1945. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  55. ^ "N.Z. Mission in Singapore". Press Volume XCI Issue 27683 Page 10. Christchurch. 13 June 1955. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  56. ^ "The New Zealand Gazette" (PDF). New Zealand Government. 12 December 1946. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  57. ^ "The New Zealand Gazette" (PDF). New Zealand Government. 18 December 1947. Retrieved 7 October 2021.
  58. ^ "The New Zealand Gazette" (PDF). New Zealand Government. 6 July 1967. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  59. ^ "Richard Lewis Hutchens". Auckland Museum. Retrieved 13 October 2021.
  60. ^ "Perry, Alfred Raymond, 1914-2003". National Library of New Zealand. Unknown. 2003. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  61. ^ "The New Zealand Gazette" (PDF). New Zealand Government. 6 July 1967. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  62. ^ "New Zealand News 1972-1974". New Zealand Embassy Washington DC. October 1972. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  63. ^ "The New Zealand Gazette" (PDF). New Zealand Legal Information Institute. New Zealand Government. 1 February 1973. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  64. ^ "Manager kept MPs in order". Stuff.co.nz. Dominion Post. 25 June 2012. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  65. ^ "New Zealand Gazette" (PDF). New Zealand Government. 3 August 1967. Retrieved 8 October 2021.
  66. ^ Pembroke College Record (Oxford), 1978. Pembroke College University of Oxford. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  67. ^ Bassett, Michael (2008). Working with David: Inside the Lange Cabinet. New Zealand: Hodder Moa. ISBN 978-1869710941.
  68. ^ "PM: Diane Morcom Retirement + Cabinet Manual". Scoop Independent News. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  69. ^ "PM: Diane Morcom Retirement + Cabinet Manual". Scoop Independent News. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  70. ^ "Appointment of Secretary of the Cabinet". Scoop Independent News. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  71. ^ "Ms Rebecca Kitteridge, Director New Zealand Security Intelligence Service". NZSIS. Retrieved 7 June 2014.
  72. ^ "Appointment of new Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 4 October 2021.
  73. ^ "The Queen's Service Order / The Order of New Zealand / The New Zealand Order of Merit". New Zealand Government. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  74. ^ Wilson, J. O. (1985). New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984. Wellington: V. R. Ward Government Printer. p. 99.
  75. ^ Wilson, J. O. (1985). New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984. Wellington: V. R. Ward Government Printer. p. 99.
  76. ^ Wilson, J. O. (1985). New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984. Wellington: V. R. Ward Government Printer. p. 99.
  77. ^ "Untitled". Daily Southern Cross Volume XII, Issue 858 Page 3. Wellington. 18 September 1855. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  78. ^ "Page 3 Advertisements Column 6". Wellington Independent Volume XVI Issue 1679 Page 3. Wellington. 25 October 1861. Retrieved 11 October 2021.
  79. ^ Wilson, J. O. (1985). New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984. Wellington: V. R. Ward Government Printer. p. 99.

External links[]

Retrieved from ""