Leadership Teams
The PSA is a democratic union with members involved in policy decisions at every level.
PSA Congress
The national delegates’ congress is held every two years and brings together representatives of all the sectors of the PSA. It is the highest constitutional body and sets the overall direction of the PSA.
Delegates to Congress are:
- The executive board
- Sector representatives – one delegate for each 500 full members
- Two runanga representatives from each sector
- Staff representative.
Click here for more on PSA Congress 2008
PSA president
Paula Scholes is the president of the PSA.
The president is elected by Congress for a two-year term and can serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms.
PSA secretariat
The secretariat is responsible for the management and day-to-day leadership of the union.
The secretariat comprises two national secretaries: Brenda Pilott and Richard Wagstaff.
PSA executive board
The executive board is a policy-making body accountable to Congress. It is responsible for overseeing policy implementation and the efficient use of resources and meets at least five times a year.
Executive board members may hold office for two years, with right of re-election for a further two consecutive years.
The board consists of:
- The president who is elected by Congress
- The elected convenor of each sector committee
- The convenor of Te Runanga o nga Toa Awhina
- The secretariat
- A representative of the staff group.
Click here for a list of executive board members.
PSA sectors
PSA members are grouped into six sectors. Each sector has a national delegates’ committee.
Community sector: includes local government, trading enterprises, energy, tertiary institutions, broadcasting, arts and culture. The convenor of the sector committee is Ian Bull.
Click here for members of the Community Sector committee
Environment sector: includes environmental protection, land management, agriculture, science and research. The convenor of the sector committee is Paula Scholes.
Click here for members of the Environment Sector committee
Governance sector: includes regulatory and policy agencies, parliamentary services, finance and insurance. The convenor of the sector committee is John Upfold.
Click here for members of the Governance Sector committee
Health sector: includes district health board mental health and allied health professionals, technical services, clerical and admin support; the ministry; and contracted-out disability and aged support services. The convenor of the sector committee is Colette Rafter.
Click here for members of the Health Sector committee
Infrastructure sector: includes justice, corrections, customs, transport, defence and security agencies. The convenor of the sector committee is Gordon Mosley.
Click here for members of the Infrastructure Sector committee
Social services sector: includes social services, education, housing, labour and employment services. The convenor of the sector committee is Marlene Pitman.
Click here for members of the Social Services Sector committee
Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina
Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina is the national committee that represents the interests of Maori members, with two representatives on each of the sector committees. The convenor of the Rūnanga committee is a member of the executive board. The convenor is Georgina Kerr.
Click here for members of the Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina sector committee
Click here for more information about Te Rūnanga o Ngā Toa Āwhina.