New Zealand’s public service must reflect the population it serves at every level, and chief executive appointments are no exception, the PSA says.

State Services Commissioner Peter Hughes has announced five public service Chief Executive appointments to take effect in late 2018 and 2019.

Three Chief Executive posts will be advertised in the coming months.

"We congratulate the new CEs, and look forward to continuing our relationships with them in their new roles," PSA National Secretaries Erin Polaczuk and Glenn Barclay say.

But the PSA notes that the five new appointments are all male, and once the current moves have taken place, only 12 out of 31 chief executives will be female.

"We accept that new appointments may change this ratio, but we are disappointed to see the number of female CEs decrease," Ms Polaczuk and Mr Barclay say.

"Overall, around 60 per cent of public service employees are women, but only 42% of chief executives.

"We also note that Maori, Pasefika and Asian people are massively under-represented, and the State Services Commission’s comments that diversity in management remains a ‘key challenge’.

"New Zealand’s public service should reflect the vibrant, diverse population it serves.

"We encourage people from all genders and ethnicities to choose careers in the public service, and for diversity to continue to be an important consideration in recruitment."

ENDS

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