Why Director-General of Health Audrey Sonerson was hand-picked, not traditionally hired

In the event of a future public health emergency, former Ministry of Transport chief executive Audrey Sonerson will address the nation in the way Ashley Bloomfield did during the Covid-19 pandemic . Sonerson was appointed Director-General of Health and chief executive of the Ministry of Health in April, after filling in for the role from February. Azaria Howell investigates why a transport leader was given a top job in health.

In March, the Public Service Commission had a big call to make. The commissioner had a choice to either run a contestable hiring process or appoint someone, in its search for the new Director-General of Health. The Public Service Commissioner, currently Brian Roche, recruits and appoints chief executives of Government agencies.



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