He leads an office responsible for setting rates of pay and allowances for elected officials
Renumeration Authority Deputy Chair Geoffrey Summers has been promoted as the newest chair of the office, according to Workplace Relations and Safety Minister Michael Wood on Friday.
Summers was appointed by the governor general on the recommendation of Wood, according to the government, and will be replacing former Chair Dame Fran Wilde whose term expired in December 2021 after not seeking reappointment.
For a three-year term, Summers will be leading the three-member authority that is tasked of setting the rates of pay and allowances for elected representatives and other public officials, including Members of Parliament, the Judiciary, and Local Authority Members.
Wood described Summers as an "experienced deputy chair," which is proven by his promotion in the post.
"Mr. Summers is a highly capable, respected, and experienced Deputy Chair and his move into the position of Chair demonstrates this. He will also continue to make a valuable contribution to the Authority's work, with the confidence of the public," said Wood in a statement.
"It's vital for the chair of the authority to have significant leadership and governance experience, and a deep understanding of central government and local authority processes."
Wood has been serving as deputy chair of the Renumeration Authority since 2016. Prior to this, he was also the principal consultant at Strategic Pay, a market leader in strategic renumeration and performance management.
He also has experience as director of human resources in state sector organisations, according to the government, as well as experience in all aspects of employment relationships and human resources policy development.
Summers was also the past president of the Human Resources Institute of New Zealand, and previously served on the Ministerial Committee to review the Code of Good Faith Bargaining.
With such experience, Wood said Summers would be able to understand the nature of work and provide appropriate renumeration for public officials.
"Mr. Summers' public credibility in employment management and remuneration enables him to understand a variety of legislative frameworks and appropriate remuneration for the work of Members of Parliament, Local Authorities and the Judiciary," said Wood.
A new deputy chair will be appointed later in 2022, according to the government announcement.