Mark Prebble

Mark Prebble (born 1951) is a former New Zealand civil servant. He was the State Services Commissioner, head of New Zealand's public service from May 2004 until 30 June 2008. On 25 January 2008, Prebble announced his retirement after 32 years in the Public Service.

Early life and education Prebble was born in Auckland, New Zealand, the youngest son of Kenneth Prebble, a one-time vicar of St Paul's Church, Auckland, who later became Archdeacon of Hauraki. His mother was Mary Hoad. Prebble tutored economics at Auckland and Wellington.

Career Prebble joined the Treasury in 1977, rising to Deputy Secretary of the Department, and acted as Acting Secretary twice. While in non-executive roles at the Treasury, he was an organiser for the Public Service Association, the principal trade union for public servants.

In 1998, Prebble became Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, succeeding Simon Murdoch. At the time, Labour Opposition leader Helen Clark criticised the appointment, describing Prebble as an "apostle of the New Right". Upon winning the 1999 election, however, Clark reappointed Prebble to the role, and is understood to have worked closely with him. While Secretary Prebble received publicity for describing Work and Income New Zealand chief executive Christine Rankin's clothes as "indecent".

In 2004, Prebble was appointed State Services Commissioner, as the head of New Zealand's public service, succeeding Michael Wintringham. Prebble docked himself 2.5 percent of his own pay over the dismissal, after an inquiry found Prebble forgot to mention a conversation he had with Benson-Pope.

Honours In the 2009 New Year Honours, Prebble was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for public services.