Deputy Public Service Commissioner Rebecca Kitteridge today announced the appointment of Ms Justine Smith as the Chief Executive, Office of Treaty Settlements.

The Office of Treaty Settlements and Takutai Moana: Te Tari Whakatau supports the Crown in its obligations under the Treaty of Waitangi by progressing historical treaty settlements and marine and coastal (Takutai Moana) determinations. Te Tari Whakatau (formerly the Office for Māori Crown Relations – Te Arawhiti) is a departmental agency hosted by the Ministry of Justice.

The chief executive is the government’s key adviser on settling historical treaty claims and progressing Takutai Moana applications.

“I’m very pleased to appoint Ms Smith to this role,” said Ms Kitteridge.

Ms Smith is a highly respected leader with deep experience in treaty settlements and Māori-Crown relations. She has a proven record of leading complex negotiations and building credibility with iwi, Māori, and other stakeholders. She is a results-driven leader who is adept at finding ways to make changes and bring people together to achieve common goals. She is a great collaborator and communicator and has a reputation for integrity with stakeholders.”

Ms Smith is currently a director at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, based in Northland, where she has led strategic partnerships with hapū and iwi and stakeholders to progress housing initiatives. Prior to this Ms Smith served for four years (2018-2022) at the Department of Internal Affairs as local government partnerships director. She worked in a range of roles in the Office of Treaty Settlements from 2001 to 2012.

Ms Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) in History from the University of Otago.

She has been appointed for five years from 19 May.

Biography

Ms Smith is currently the director for Northland at the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development, a role she has held since January 2023.

Prior to this Ms Smith served for four years (2018-2022) at the Department of Internal Affairs in the role of local government partnerships director.

Ms Smith has held a number of leadership roles at Auckland Council, including (2017) Chief Advisor, Office of the Deputy Mayor, Executive Officer Tūpuna Maunga o Tāmaki Makaurau Authority (2014-2017) and strategic advisor on the council’s long-term plan (2013-2014).

For four years (2008-2012), Ms Smith was the Manager Negotiations/Settlements at the Office of Treaty Settlements. Prior to this (2004-2007), she was a senior analyst in policy and negotiations.

Ms Smith started in the Office of Treaty Settlements as a policy and negotiations analyst (2001-2004) and during this time was Private Secretary to the Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations from 2003 to 2004.

Ms Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts (First Class Honours) in History from the University of Otago.

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