Police Commissioner Andrew Coster is set to lead the Government’s Social Investment Agency.
It replaces the Social Wellbeing Agency which was part of the Public Service Commission.
Acting Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggott announced today Coster had been appointed the agency’s secretary for social investment and its chief executive.
He has been appointed for five years from November 11. Earlier this year Coster said he wouldn’t seek another term when his current one came to an end in April 2025.
“The secretary is responsible for embedding the government’s social investment approach, driving change in the delivery of social services, influencing more effective expenditure and better outcomes for New Zealand’s most vulnerable.”
Baggott said Coster is a “highly respected and impressive public service leader who has considerable experience delivering initiatives to address complex social issues”.
“Coster is a proven leader with a pragmatic, realistic and delivery-focused approach to achieving change,” Baggott said.
“He has experience advising Ministers on complex issues, significant experience working with public sector chief executives and has credibility with key stakeholders and community leaders. He has a deep understanding of the challenges ahead and is well prepared to lead the Social Investment Agency, working alongside the other central agency heads.”
Coster has been the Police Commissioner since 2020.