Top Paid Chief Executives
Highest remunerated public sector leaders for 2024/25
$802K
$696K
$8.02M
2024/25
Key Insights for 2024/25
- • University Vice-Chancellors dominate the top 10, holding 5 of the highest-paid positions
- • The highest figure ($1,066K) includes a redundancy payment following departure
- • Average top 10 remuneration is 63% higher than the overall public sector CE average ($491K)
| Rank | Name | Agency | Type | 2024/25 | Change | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mr Former CE Chief Executive | Kāinga Ora–Homes and Communities | Crown Agent | $1,066KIncludes redundancy payment | +45.8%vs $731K | Former |
| 2 | Fepulea'i Margie Apa Chief Executive | Health New Zealand — Te Whatu Ora | Crown Agent | $882K | -1.5%vs $895K | Ended Feb 2025 |
| 3 | Professor Dawn Freshwater Vice-Chancellor | University of Auckland | University | $766K | +0.9%vs $759K | Current |
| 4 | Professor Cheryl de la Rey Vice-Chancellor | University of Canterbury | University | $738K | +2.8%vs $718K | Current |
| 5 | Ms Megan Main Chief Executive | ACC | Crown Agent | $714K | +4.5%vs $683K | Current |
| 6 | Professor Jan Thomas Vice-Chancellor | Massey University | University | $688K | +2.4%vs $672K | Current |
| 7 | Mr Andrew Coster Commissioner of Police | New Zealand Police | Statutory Officer | $670K | +2.6%vs $653K | Ended Oct 2024 |
| 8 | Professor Grant Guilford Vice-Chancellor | Victoria University of Wellington | University | $652K | +2.7%vs $635K | Current |
| 9 | Mr Caralee McLiesh Secretary to the Treasury | The Treasury | Public Service Department | $642K | +2.7%vs $625K | Current |
| 10 | Dame Rebecca Kitteridge Secretary of Cabinet | Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet | Public Service Department | $598K | +2.7%vs $582K | Current |
Public vs Private Sector Comparison
For comparison, the median CEO total remuneration for NZX50 companies in FY2024 was approximately $1.8M, with the highest-paid executives receiving over $5M including performance bonuses and share-based payments.
View NZX executive remuneration dataData Source
Chief executive remuneration data is sourced from Te Kawa Mataaho Public Service Commission. Data is updated twice yearly as at 30 June and 31 December.
Disclosure figures are based on each chief executive's annual remuneration package including base salary, superannuation contributions, and other benefits where applicable. Redundancy and termination payments are included where they fall within the disclosure period.