JA
John Allen
New Zealand
Chief Ombudsman
Biography
John Allen is the Chief Ombudsman of New Zealand. He was appointed by the Governor-General for a five-year term which began on 31 March 2025. Prior to his appointment, he was Chief Executive of the Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (WellingtonNZ) and Chancellor at Victoria University Wellington - Te Herenga Waka.
John has held a number of senior business leadership positions including as Chief Executive of New Zealand Post, Chief Executive and Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Chief Executive of the New Zealand Racing Board. As a former Partner of Rudd Watts & Stone, he specialised in commercial and public policy issues. John has also been a visiting Lecturer in Law at Victoria University of Wellington. He is an experienced company Director, including Chairing the Barnardos Board of Directors, sitting on the advisory board of Koi Tu: The Centre for Informed Futures, Wellington Uni-Professional, Kiwibank, Datacom, Te Papa, The New Zealand Festival and New Zealand Stroke Foundation.
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