Brian Roche

Sir Brian Joseph Roche (born ) is a New Zealand business executive and senior public servant. He has served as Public Service Commissioner since 4 November 2024.

Early life and education Roche was born in Hawke's Bay and has six sisters and one brother. He attended St John's College in Hastings. He obtained a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration from Victoria University of Wellington.

He is married with two children.

Career Roche started his working career with Coopers and Lybrand in 1979 as an accountant.

Since 2013, Roche was chairman of the Hurricanes rugby union franchise. He led the team that gained the 2011 Rugby World Cup hosting rights for New Zealand and later chaired group that organised the championship, taking over from Jock Hobbs. A condition of the appointment was Roche's resignation from the Wellington Gateway Project to avoid a conflict of interest.

In August 2020, Roche and Heather Simpson were chosen to lead a new group to support the Ministry of Health in improving COVID-19 border security. From March 2023 to February 2024, Roche chaired the government's cyclone recovery taskforce, responding to the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle.

In October 2024, Roche was appointed to the position of Public Service Commissioner, effective from 4 November 2024, for a term of two years and eight months through to June 2027.

Honours and awards In 1990, Roche was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal. In the 2017 New Year Honours, he was appointed a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services to the State and business.