Ms Dinah Okeby, of Wellington, MNZM for services to the Public Service
Dinah Okeby began her Parliamentary career with the Advisory Committee on Women’s Affairs. She was private secretary for the inaugural Minister for Women’s Affairs. She began drafting correspondence for Prime Minister David Lange, leading to a long career managing and producing correspondence for Opposition Leaders and Prime Ministers including Helen Clark, Jacinda Ardern and Chris Hipkins. As Manager of the Prime Minister’s Correspondence Unit, she has been at the forefront of receiving between 20,000 and 30,000 emails and letters annually, identifying and directing the level of response required. Ms Okeby is regarded for her well-written, personalised responses, particularly when faced with high volumes of correspondence regarding nationally significant events.