Transport ministry seeks new boss

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) is on the hunt for a new chief executive after Peter Mersi, who is also secretary for transport, announced he is leaving the roles after six years.

Mersi, pictured, has been appointed commissioner and chief executive at the Inland Revenue Department and will take up his new position on July 1.

In a LinkedIn post, he says: “I’ve loved my time at the Ministry of Transport but it’s time to move on and I’m really looking forward to working with my new colleagues at Inland Revenue.”

Deputy public service commissioner Helene Quilter says she is pleased to appoint Mersi to his new job for five years, which will see him as the principal steward of the New Zealand tax system.

“Mr Mersi is a highly respected leader with extensive experience in the public service,” adds Quilter. 

“He has breadth and depth of policy and delivery leadership experience, including as a chief executive for the last 11 years.

“Mr Mersi is an integral member of the public service leadership team. His strong and proven system and organisational leadership will equip him well for the commissioner, Inland Revenue role.”

Mersi has been secretary for transport and chief executive of the MoT since July 18, 2016. He was previously chief executive of Land Information New Zealand for more than four years and acting secretary for internal affairs at the Department of Internal Affairs. 

Prior to his chief executive roles, Mersi was a deputy commissioner at Inland Revenue and a deputy secretary at the Treasury for seven years.

He is currently in a seconded role as chief executive of the Covid-19 All-of-Government Response, a post he took up on March 14 and that runs until June 30.

During this time Bryn Gandy, pictured below, MoT’s deputy chief executive, is acting as the department’s chief executive and secretary for transport. Gandy is expected to continue in that capacity until a permanent replacement for Mersi is found.