About Us - A Guide to the Government Health and Safety Lead

About us

The Public Services Commissioner appointed Ray Smith, then Chief Executive of the Department of Corrections, to undertake the new system role of Government Health and Safety Lead.

The Government Health and Safety Lead (GHSL) works with 42 public service and other government agencies. The GHSL aims to strengthen health and safety performance at an individual agency level and collectively as a sector.

Together these 42 agencies employ over 100,000 staff, engage thousands of volunteers and partner with NGOs and the private sector to deliver services across New Zealand. The sector influences the health, safety and wellbeing
of all New Zealanders.

We are a small team based within the Ministry for Primary Industries office in Pastoral House in Wellington.