Professor Peter Hughes, CNZM, Wellington
For services to the State. Professor Peter Hughes has been Chief Executive of the Ministry of Social Development for the last ten years. Before this he was Chief Executive of the Department of Internal Affairs and the Health Funding Authority. He has consistently gone beyond the call of duty, contributing significantly to wider state service and public sector initiatives. He became Chair of the Social Sector Chief Executives' Forum in 2003 and has led the Taskforce for Action on Violence within Families since 2006. He was rated the top Public Service Chief Executive in 2010 and 2011 by the ‘Trans Tasman’ magazine. He initiated the integrated service approach for vulnerable families and established Community Link Centres. Professor Hughes has been committed to delivering the Government’s priorities, and is well respected for being a ‘leader among leaders’.