Mr John Ombler, of Wanaka, CNZM, for services to the public service
John Ombler has had a 43-year career in the public service.
Since his retirement, he has returned to twice lead public service agencies in response to significant crises, reprising his role as Chief Executive of the Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority and becoming All-of-Government Controller for the response to COVID-19.
In this role, he chaired the National Response Leadership Team, made up of the Director-General of Health, Director of Civil Defence and Emergency Management, and the All-of-Government Operations and Strategy and Policy Leads, which advised the Prime Minister and Cabinet on COVID-19 matters and ensured public service agencies were ready to turn executive decisions into practice.
In 2017, Mr Ombler was appointed to conduct an inquiry under the State Services Commissioner into financial irregularities at the Waikato District Health Board.