posted on 2019-05-22, 21:22authored byVanessa McClintock
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Liz MacPherson is the Government Statistician and Chief Executive of Stats NZ, New Zealand’s
data and statistics agency. Liz was appointed in August 2013 and is proud to be the first woman
to hold the position.
Recently, Liz also took on the newly created role of Government Chief Data Steward, supporting
government to realise the potential of data to improve wellbeing, while maintaining and building
trust in its use. In this role she also leads New Zealand’s open data programme.
Liz is a highly experienced, dedicated public servant. In a career spanning almost 30 years, she
has worked on everything from policy, strategy, and operational delivery, to regulation, research,
and corporate governance. During that time, Liz has worked in a variety of government agencies,
including the Department of Labour and the Ministry of Education.
Liz believes passionately in the power of people and ideas to make a difference to New Zealand.
And at Stats NZ, she relishes the opportunity to “unleash the power of data to change lives”.
Often working in partnership with other agencies, Liz is committed to empowering decisionmakers at all levels with the information they need and the capability to use it.
Liz has a BA in Geography and English and a First Class Master of Arts in English.