Michael (Mike) Hall, QSO, Te Horo
For services to the State. Mr Mike Hall’s leadership has helped to transform the New Zealand Fire Service into a national fire and rescue service. He has been the Chief Executive Officer and National Commander of the New Zealand Fire Service since 2001. He is the first foreign national to lead the New Zealand Fire Service, and only the second person to hold both statutory positions of Chief Executive and National Commander. His leadership has seen changes made to drive a more nationally focused and integrated organisation, with investment in its people and in new technology. In 2010 the Fire Service won the Silver Business Excellence Award, and, in 2011, received the Institute of Public Administration New Zealand Excellence in Networked Government Award, along with the Prime Minister’s Award for Public Sector Excellence. He is a former Director of the Australasian Fire Authorities Council. Mr Hall received the Australian Fire Service Medal in 1995 and is a Fellow of the Institution of Fire Engineers.