Our leaders
We have more than 4000 people who work in around 100 different locations in the country delivering justice services.
Find out more about our values
The Ministry of Justice’s Strategic Leadership Team is led by Andrew Kibblewhite, Secretary for Justice. They set the Ministry’s strategic direction including initiatives to help modernise our services.
The team plays an important role in developing and maintaining relationships, particularly with the judiciary, Ministers, other justice sector agencies, central agencies, professional bodies and other organisations.
Strategic Leadership Team
Andrew Kibblewhite, Secretary for Justice
Andrew Kibblewhite has been Secretary since February 2019. Prior to this, he was Chief Executive of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (DPMC) for seven years. Andrew’s previous experience in the public service includes roles as Deputy Chief Executive at Treasury, Director of the Policy Advisory Group at the DPMC, and General Manager Strategic Development at the Ministry of Research, Science and Technology. Andrew began his career at the Treasury and has a BSc (Hons) from the University of Canterbury, a BCA from Victoria University, and an MBA (Arjay Millar Scholar) from Stanford University.
Carl Crafar, Chief Operating Officer, Operations & Service Delivery
Carl joined the Ministry in August 2016 to lead the Ministry’s newly created Operations and Service Delivery Group. This brings all our operations together providing one operational view of our service delivery and customer outcomes. Carl has a long involvement with the social sector, and has held a number of senior roles in the Ministry of Social Development. He was responsible for national service delivery, most recently as Deputy Chief Executive, Social Housing, leading MSD's social housing operations.
Kelvin Watson, Deputy Secretary, Corporate and Digital Services
Kelvin joined the Ministry in October 2023 and leads the Corporate Services Group, bringing executive leadership experience in service delivery, digital enablement, transformation and corporate services. His previous roles include leading corporate and clinical support services at Capital Coast DHB, and corporate and digital services at Stats NZ. He also played a key leadership role in Aotearoa's Covid-19 public health response as part of the Ministry of Health.
Victoria McLaughlin, Deputy Secretary, Te Au Reka
Victoria McLaughlin has worked in the Ministry of Justice since 2017, originally as the Director, Strategy Development, developing the roadmap for 'modernising' courts and tribunals, which established the case for investing in Te Au Reka. In 2019, Victoria became the Group Manager, Commissioning and Service Improvement. The Commissioning and Service Improvement Group designs and implements changes in the courts and tribunals. It also manages the commissioning and management of community services that support the courts and access to justice. Throughout her time as the Group Manager Victoria was responsible for the establishment of Te Au Reka, including securing investment. In July 2022, Victoria became the Deputy Secretary – Te Au Reka. Prior to working in the Ministry of Justice, Victoria was a Partner in the advisory practice of EY. During this time, she led a number of engagements supporting the Ministry of Justice, Police and Corrections.
Marcus Akuhata-Brown, Deputy Secretary Strategy | Pou Whakatere
Marcus Akuhata-Brown (Ngāti Porou, Te Aitanga a Mahaki, Ngāti Kahungunu, Ngāi Tahu) joined Te Tāhū o te Ture on 3 November 2020. A qualified teacher, in his early career Marcus led a number of innovative alternative education programmes addressing the learning needs of at-risk youth and young offenders. Marcus brings his deep and broad connections with Iwi Māori, along with his drive to help strengthen our Ministry’s relationships through our engagement and partnership mahi.
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