Secretary of the Cabinet (New Zealand) explained

Post:Secretary of the Cabinet
Body:New Zealand
Insigniacaption:Coat of arms of New Zealand
Incumbent:Rachel Hayward
Incumbentsince:2 November 2022
Department:Cabinet Office (part of Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet)
Reports To:Governor-General of New Zealand
Seat:Wellington
Nominator:Prime Minister
Appointer:Governor-General of New Zealand
Appointer Qualified:on the advice of the Prime Minister
Termlength:At the Governor-General's pleasure
Formation:January 1864
First:William Gisborne
Salary:$212,450[1]

The secretary of the Cabinet (or Cabinet secretary) is a senior public servant in New Zealand. The Cabinet secretary usually serves concurrently as the clerk of the Executive Council. The secretary is responsible for the impartial recording of Cabinet decisions, and as clerk of the Executive Council they are also a liaison between the Cabinet and the governor-general. 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 Rachel Hayward.

Responsibilities and powers

The Cabinet secretary is a public servant who heads the Cabinet Office, which while a 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, 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.[3]

As the clerk of the Executive Council, they act 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.[4]

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.[5] [6]

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.[7]

History

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.[8]

The role required extensive knowledge of the colony and its constitutional underpinnings.[9] In 1889 the role of clerk of the Executive Council was also assumed by then Cabinet Secretary Alexander Willis.[10] 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[11] when Foss Shanahan assumed the role of Cabinet secretary and held the position until 1955.[12] [13] During this time, the role of clerk of the Executive Council was held briefly by William Harvey[14] [15] 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.[16] 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.[17]

When the Prime Minister's Department was established in 1926 then Cabinet Secretary Frank Thomson initially was appointed as its head.[18] Eventually the Head of the Prime Minister's Department would become a separate role, although until the 1960s the roles were interchangeable.

Despite the name, it was not initially a codified practice to have the secretary present at Cabinet meetings, and this was usually at the discretion of the prime minister. During the first 84 years, if the secretary was not present, minutes were rarely taken and the prime minister or another senior minister noted Cabinet's decisions on a Schedule for subsequent recording and distribution by the 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 secretary was formally adopted in December 1949.[19] [20] [21] 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.[22] [23]

Recent holders of the post have gone on to have successful public service careers. Marie Shroff served in the role from 1987 until 2003[24] and went on to be the Privacy Commissioner.[25] and then chair the New Zealand Electoral Commission.[26] Rebecca Kitteridge served in the role from 2008 until 2013[27] and went on to be the director of the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service.[28]

List of Cabinet secretaries

NameTook officeLeft officeNotes
1William Gisborne[29] [30] 1 January 18642 July 1869Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council from 18 August 1862[31] [32] [33]
2Edward Wakefield[34] June 18691869Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council
3William Robert Edward Brown[35] [36] 18701872Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council
(2)Edward Wakefield[37] 1 July 18721 November 1872Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council
(3)William Robert Edward Brown[38] [39] 18731873Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council
4George Sisson Cooper[40] [41] 18741876Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council
5Ebenezer Fox[42] [43] [44] 1877April 1884Forster Goring was Clerk of the Executive Council until 30 May 1889
6Alexander James Willis[45] [46] 188530 June 1909Also Clerk of the Executive Council from 1 June 1889
7James Frank Andrews[47] [48] 1 July 190931 March 1919Also Clerk of the Executive Council
8Frank David Thomson[49] [50] 17 February 192014 December 1934Also Clerk of the Executive Council
9Cecil Jeffery[51] [52] 15 January 193531 March 1946Also Clerk of the Executive Council
10Foss Shanahan[53] [54] December 19451955William Osborne Harvey was Clerk of the Executive Council from 1 April 1946[55] until 31 December 1947[56] and then Thomas James Sherrard was Clerk of the Executive Council from 1 January 1948[57]
11Richard Hutchens[58] 19551959Thomas James Sherrard was Clerk of the Executive Council
12Alfred Raymond Perry[59] 19591969Thomas James Sherrard was Clerk of the Executive Council until 30 June 1967[60]
13Peter John Brooks[61] [62] [63] 1969February 1973 Also Clerk of the Executive Council from 1 July 1967[64]
14Patrick Millen[65] [66] 12 February 197321 September 1987Also Clerk of the Executive Council
15Marie Shroff[67] 6 October 19872003Also Clerk of the Executive Council
16Diane Morcom[68] 20032008Also Clerk of the Executive Council
17Rebecca Kitteridge[69] [70] 26 March 20082013Also Clerk of the Executive Council
18Michael Webster[71] [72] 18 March 20142022Also Clerk of the Executive Council
19Rachel Hayward[73] 2 November 2022IncumbentAlso Clerk of the Executive Council

List of Clerks of the Executive Council Prior to 1862

NameTook officeLeft officeNotes
1James Coates[74] 18411853
2Andrew James Richmond[75] 18531855
3Frederick Gordon Steward[76] [77] [78] 13 September 18551861
4James Holt[79] 15 October 18618 February 1862

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Parliamentary Salaries and Allowances Determination 2016 . 4 October 2021 .
  2. Web site: Secretary of the Cabinet and the Cabinet Office . . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 4 October 2021 .
  3. Web site: The Role of the Secretary of the Cabinet – The View from the Beehive . Ko Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand . 5 October 2021.
  4. Web site: Clerk of the Executive Council . . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 4 October 2021 .
  5. Web site: IPANZ Presentation: NZ Cabinet Manual . Webster . Michael . 31 August 2017 . Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet . Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet . 11 October 2021 .
  6. Web site: Cabinet Manual . . 3 July 2017 . Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet . Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet . 11 October 2021 .
  7. Mclean . Janet . January 2016 . The Unwritten Political Constitution and Its Enemies . The International Journal of Constitutional Law . 14 . 1 . 119–136 . 10.1093/icon/mow002 . 11 October 2021. free .
  8. Book: Wilson, J. O. . 1985 . New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984 . Wellington . V. R. Ward Government Printer . 53 .
  9. News: . 30 June 1880 . Parliament Legislative Council . The New Zealand Times . Volume XXXV Issue 6006 Page 3 . 6 October 2021.
  10. News: . 19 July 1890 . Parliament House of Representatives . The Evening Post . Volume XL Issue 17 Page 4 . 6 October 2021.
  11. News: . 29 September 1945 . Long Service Ends . The Evening Post . Volume CXL Issue 78 Page 8 .
  12. Book: Martin, John . 2015 . The Seven Dwarfs and the Age of the Mandarins: Australian Government Administration in the Post-War Reconstruction Era . ANU Press . 98 . 978-1925022322.
  13. News: . 13 June 1955 . NZ Mission in Singapore. The Press . Volume XCI Issue 27683 PAGE 10 . 7 October 2021.
  14. Web site: The New Zealand Gazette . . 12 December 1946 . New Zealand Government . 7 October 2021 .
  15. Web site: The New Zealand Gazette . . 18 December 1947 . New Zealand Government . 7 October 2021 .
  16. Web site: New Zealand News 1972-1974 . . October 1972 . New Zealand Embassy Washington DC . 8 October 2021 .
  17. Web site: Cabinet Manual . . 23 January 1979 . Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand . Prime Ministers Department . 11 October 2021 .
  18. News: . 19 January 1926 . The Changes Discussed A New Government Department . The Auckland Star . Volume LVII Issue 15 19 January 1926 Page 14 . 7 October 2021.
  19. Book: Martin, John . 2015 . The Seven Dwarfs and the Age of the Mandarins: Australian Government Administration in the Post-War Reconstruction Era . ANU Press . 98 . 978-1925022322.
  20. Web site: The Role of the Secretary of the Cabinet – The View from the Beehive . Shroff . Marie . 31 July 2001 . Victoria University of Wellington . 4 October 2021.
  21. Web site: Whārangi 6. Cabinet Office . Shroff . Marie . 31 July 2001 . Victoria University of Wellington . 4 October 2021.
  22. Web site: The Official New Zealand Year-Book, 1960 . . 1 July 1960 . Statistics New Zealand . Statistics New Zealand . 11 October 2021 .
  23. Web site: Shanahan, Foss . McGibbon . Ian . 2000 . The Encyclopedia of New Zealand . Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand . 11 October 2021 .
  24. Web site: Silent witness reflects on Cabinet . New Zealand Herald . 29 September 2003 . 15 June 2020.
  25. Web site: About Us . Office of the Privacy Commissioner . 15 June 2020.
  26. Web site: Marie Shroff new Electoral Commission Chair . Electoral Commission . 7 August 2019 . 15 June 2020.
  27. Web site: Ms Rebecca Kitteridge, Director New Zealand Security Intelligence Service . NZSIS . 7 June 2014.
  28. http://www.adls.org.nz/for-the-profession/news-and-opinion/2015/5/8/the-trailblazing-women-who-guard-our-security/ "The Trailblazing Women Who Guard Our security"
  29. Web site: 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 . . 31 August 1865 . National Library of New Zealand . New Zealand Government . 11 October 2021 .
  30. Web site: 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 . . 1880 . National Library of New Zealand . New Zealand Government . 11 October 2021 .
  31. Nominal Roll of the Civil Establishment of New Zealand on the 30th June, 1875 . . 30 June 1875 . National Library of New Zealand . New Zealand Government . 11 October 2021 .
  32. Web site: Goring, Forster, 1810-1893 . . 11 October 2021 . National Library of New Zealand . National Library of New Zealand . 11 October 2021 .
  33. Book: Wilson, J. O. . 1985 . New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984 . Wellington . V. R. Ward Government Printer . 99 .
  34. Web site: Sir Edward William Stafford G.C.M.G. A Memoir . . 1923 . National Library of New Zealand . New Zealand Government . 11 October 2021 .
  35. Web site: Nominal Roll of the Civil Establishment of New Zealand on the 1 July 1870 . . 1 July 1870 . National Library of New Zealand . New Zealand Government . 11 October 2021 .
  36. Web site: Nominal Roll of the Civil Establishment of New Zealand on the 1 July 1872 . . 1 July 1872 . National Library of New Zealand . New Zealand Government . 11 October 2021 .
  37. News: . 18 August 1873 . Untitled . Wellington Independent Volume XXVIII Issue 3886 Page 2 . Christchurch . 11 October 2021.
  38. Web site: BALCOMBE-BROWN and BAILLIE Family History . . 21 October 2015 . Lynly Lessels Yates Genealogy Website . Lynly Lessels Yates . 11 October 2021 .
  39. News: . 13 October 1873 . Telegrams . Star (Christchurch) Issue 1756 Page 2 . Christchurch . 11 October 2021.
  40. Web site: Nominal Roll of the Civil Establishment of New Zealand on the 1 July 1874 . . 1 July 1874 . National Library of New Zealand . New Zealand Government . 11 October 2021 .
  41. News: . 3 July 1876 . Parliamentary Papers . Press Volume XXVI Issue 3379 Page 3 . Christchurch . 11 October 2021.
  42. Web site: 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 . . 10 January 1977 . National Library of New Zealand . New Zealand Government . 11 October 2021 .
  43. News: . 8 January 1886 . Untitled . Evening Star Issue 6804 Page 2 . Dunedin . 11 October 2021.
  44. Web site: Confederation and Annexation (Correspondence with the Agent General): Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1884 Session I, A-03B . . 6 October 1883 . National Library of New Zealand . New Zealand Government . 11 October 2021 .
  45. News: . 8 July 1931 . Personal Items . Wairarapa Daily Times Page 4 . Masterton . 11 October 2021.
  46. News: . 22 March 1909 . Local & General News . Marlborough Express Volume XLIII Issue 150 Page 4 . Blenheim . 11 October 2021.
  47. News: . 22 December 1922 . Obituary . Press Volume LVIII Issue 17635 Page 8 . Christchurch . 11 October 2021.
  48. News: . 17 March 1909 . Secretary of the Cabinet . Taranaki Herald Volume LV Issue 13913 Page 2 . New Plymouth . 11 October 2021.
  49. News: . 15 December 1934 . State Official's Death . New Zealand Herald Volume LXXI Issue 21984 Page 15 . Auckland . 11 October 2021.
  50. Web site: The New Zealand Gazette . . 11 March 1920 . New Zealand Government . 7 October 2021 .
  51. News: . 19 January 1935 . 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 . 11 October 2021.
  52. Web site: The New Zealand Gazette . . 4 October 1945 . New Zealand Government . 7 October 2021 .
  53. News: . 19 December 1945 . Personal Items . Evening Post Volume CXL Issue 147 Page 8 . Wellington . 11 October 2021.
  54. News: . 13 June 1955 . N.Z. Mission in Singapore . Press Volume XCI Issue 27683 Page 10 . Christchurch . 11 October 2021.
  55. Web site: The New Zealand Gazette . . 12 December 1946 . New Zealand Government . 7 October 2021 .
  56. Web site: The New Zealand Gazette . . 18 December 1947 . New Zealand Government . 7 October 2021 .
  57. Web site: The New Zealand Gazette . . 6 July 1967 . New Zealand Government . 8 October 2021 .
  58. Web site: Richard Lewis Hutchens . Auckland Museum . 13 October 2021 .
  59. Web site: Perry, Alfred Raymond, 1914-2003 . . 2003 . National Library of New Zealand . Unknown . 8 October 2021 .
  60. Web site: The New Zealand Gazette . . 6 July 1967 . New Zealand Government . 8 October 2021 .
  61. Web site: New Zealand News 1972-1974 . . October 1972 . New Zealand Embassy Washington DC . 8 October 2021 .
  62. Web site: The New Zealand Gazette . . 1 February 1973 . New Zealand Legal Information Institute . New Zealand Government . 8 October 2021 .
  63. Web site: Manager kept MPs in order . . 25 June 2012 . Stuff.co.nz . Dominion Post . 8 October 2021 .
  64. Web site: New Zealand Gazette . . 3 August 1967 . New Zealand Government . 8 October 2021 .
  65. Book: Pembroke College Record (Oxford), 1978 . Pembroke College University of Oxford . 5 October 2021.
  66. Book: Bassett, Michael . 2008 . Working with David: Inside the Lange Cabinet . New Zealand . Hodder Moa . 978-1869710941.
  67. Web site: PM: Diane Morcom Retirement + Cabinet Manual . Scoop Independent News . 5 October 2021.
  68. Web site: PM: Diane Morcom Retirement + Cabinet Manual . Scoop Independent News . 5 October 2021.
  69. Web site: Appointment of Secretary of the Cabinet . Scoop Independent News . 5 October 2021.
  70. Web site: Ms Rebecca Kitteridge, Director New Zealand Security Intelligence Service . NZSIS . 7 June 2014.
  71. Web site: Appointment of new Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council . . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 4 October 2021 .
  72. Web site: The Queen's Service Order / The Order of New Zealand / The New Zealand Order of Merit . New Zealand Government . 12 November 2021.
  73. Web site: Appointment of new Secretary of the Cabinet and Clerk of the Executive Council . 4 November 2022 . Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet . 5 December 2022.
  74. Book: Wilson, J. O. . 1985 . New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984 . Wellington . V. R. Ward Government Printer . 99 .
  75. Book: Wilson, J. O. . 1985 . New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984 . Wellington . V. R. Ward Government Printer . 99 .
  76. Book: Wilson, J. O. . 1985 . New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984 . Wellington . V. R. Ward Government Printer . 99 .
  77. News: . 18 September 1855 . Untitled . Daily Southern Cross Volume XII, Issue 858 Page 3 . Wellington . 11 October 2021.
  78. News: . 25 October 1861 . Page 3 Advertisements Column 6 . Wellington Independent Volume XVI Issue 1679 Page 3 . Wellington . 11 October 2021.
  79. Book: Wilson, J. O. . 1985 . New Zealand Parliamentary Record 1840-1984 . Wellington . V. R. Ward Government Printer . 99 .

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