James Palmer appointed Secretary for the Environment & Chief Executive at Ministry for the Environment

Hobson Leavy are delighted to share the appointment of James Palmer to the position of Secretary for the Environment and Chief Executive, Ministry for the Environment.
After completing a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Otago University, James Palmer embarked on a career in New Zealand’s public service. He spent his early career in Private Secretary and Policy Advisor roles across a variety of portfolios including customers, consumer affairs, economic development, environment and conservation.
James has spent the last twenty years of his career in public service roles seeking to impact environmental management, and at the heart of significant environmental public policy issues. James is currently the Chief Executive of Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, a role he has held since June 2017.
He brings a grounded understanding of the issues ahead for the Ministry including the scale and complexity of the RM reform, the emissions reduction plan, climate change, biodiversity challenges and waste and fresh water reform.
Please join us in congratulating James on his appointment.
Thank you to our team at Hobson Leavy who worked on this search; Stephen Leavy, Lauren Shearer and George Morris.
Read more about James’s appointment here.