32252 (2025). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister for Regulation

32252 (2025). Hon Dr Duncan Webb to the Minister for Regulation: Further to WPQ17169/25 Did Bryce Wilkinson meet with final candidates for the Chief Economist position after interviews; if so when?

Hon David Seymour: The member has now asked numerous questions about the involvement of Dr Bryce Wilkinson in the recruitment of the Ministry’s Chief Economist including both written questions and at the recent Estimates select committee hearing, all of which I have answered. Ministry officials also advise that the member has already requested and received information about this specific matter under the Official Information Act. I have been advised by Officials that final candidates were formally interviewed and had subsequent informal engagement with the panel members as is common practice for public service recruitment. I have complete confidence that the Ministry ran a fair and robust recruitment process for the Chief Economist role, and I am delighted with the appointment that has been made. This line of questioning puts unnecessary focus on the individual in that role, who has impeccable credentials and is well respected within their field. In addition the Ministry only advertised on the following websites and job boards ensuring a comprehensive and diverse candidate pool was reached: Ministry for Regulation careers site; Seek New Zealand; Seek Australia; NZ Association of Economists; The Economist; American Economic Association; Indeed UK; Indeed Canada; Indeed USA; Linkedin. Officials advise that final candidates were formally interviewed and had subsequent informal engagement with the panel members as is common practice for Ministry recruitment.