Policy
Simon MacPherson is the Deputy Chief Executive Policy
The Policy branch is made up of the following:
Welfare System and Income Support
General Manager Fiona Carter-Giddings leads the Welfare System Policy team and two Income Support Policy teams. These teams provide policy advice to ensure New Zealand provides effective income support and has appropriate system-level settings to enhance wellbeing for New Zealanders. The group also has an important role in leading strategic work relating to welfare system settings and the overall policy stewardship of the income support system.
Housing, Employment and Climate Change
General Manager Hayley Hamilton leads the Housing Policy team, two Employment Policy teams, the Employment, Education and Training (EET) Secretariat and the Climate Change Policy team. These teams provide policy advice on improving housing outcomes for New Zealand’s most vulnerable people, MSD employment programmes for groups of New Zealanders who are disadvantaged in the labour market, coordination and alignment of the employment, education and training system, and how we can support New Zealanders in the face of climate change.
Regional, Social and Inquiries
General Manager Molly Elliott leads the Regional and Communities Policy team, the Social Impact Policy team, the Strategy and Inquiries team and the Policy Office and Regional Public Service Office. These teams provide policy advice on MSD’s participation in regional and community development and wider social sector initiatives, as well as providing business and strategic advisory support to Regional Public Service leadership and the Policy Branch.
International, Disability and Generational
General Manager Julia Bergman leads the International Policy team, Disability Policy team, Child and Youth Policy team, Older Peoples Policy team and the Office for Seniors. These teams provide policy advice on international policy agreements and obligations, and issues faced by people with a disability, children and young people, and older people.
