Our people
Our Acting Chief Executive
Ruth Fairhall, Acting Secretary for Transport and Chief Executive
Ruth joined the Ministry of Transport in 2024. She was previously at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet in the Policy Advisory Group and as the Head of Strategy and Policy at the COVID-19 All of Government Group. She is an experienced public sector leader having held senior management roles at the Ministry for Primary Industries and the Ministry of Justice.
Prior to being Acting Chief Executive, Ruth led the Policy Group, which is responsible for leading our advice on a range of transport policy issues, including maritime and freight, aviation, transport resilience and security, urban development and public transport, and policies to support improved environmental outcomes and climate change adaptation.
Chief Executive’s expenses
We publish spreadsheets showing the Chief Executive's business expenses, gifts and hospitality over NZD $50.
Chief Executive’s expenses (external link)
Our Senior Leadership Team
David Wood, Deputy Chief Executive, Investment and Monitoring Group
David is an experienced public sector leader and has been at the Ministry of Transport since June 2023.
Prior to joining the Ministry he held senior executive roles at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Treasury, and in the health sector. David has also held leadership roles at Auckland Council, United Kingdom local government, and the Ministry of Education.
David has a strong background in strategy, policy and commercial operations.
The Investment and Monitoring Group’s functions include Crown entity monitoring, investment, rail, programme monitoring and investment management, and transport financing.
Paul O’Connell, Deputy Chief Executive, Sector Strategy Group
Paul joined the Ministry in 2023. Paul’s career in the public service started out at the Treasury, and in New Zealand he has also held leadership roles at the Ministry of Justice, the Social Investment Agency, and the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
The Sector Strategy Group is responsible for the Ministry’s advice on safety, regulatory reform, economics, data and analytics, strategic priorities, and transport modelling.
Outside of work, Paul lives in Karori with a poorly trained but very cute dog and runs a daily poetry mailing list that’s been going since 2003.
Carmen Mak, Deputy Chief Executive, Corporate Services
Carmen has been at the Ministry of Transport since February 2022 in Director roles, and was appointed to the Deputy Chief Executive role in June 2024.
Carmen is an experienced public sector practitioner, having worked in economic, trade and international policy roles in the Treasury, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE), and at APEC. She has also had experience in leading the national standards body as an independent business unit within MBIE.
As the Deputy Chief Executive Corporate Services, Carmen leads the corporate functions that enable the Ministry to operate efficiently. These include finance, communications and engagement, human resources, business enablement and support, legal and procurement, and the New Zealand Search and Rescue Secretariat.
Siobhan Routledge, Acting Deputy Chief Executive, Policy Group
Siobhan joined the Ministry of Transport in 2017 as Director, System Strategy. She is an experienced public sector leader, having previously worked at the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment, Ministry of Economic Development, and the Department of Labour in a variety of economic facing policy areas including industry and regional development, innovation, accident compensation, employment and labour markets.
At the Ministry of Transport, Siobhan is currently the Acting DCE for the Policy Group. The group is responsible for providing our advice on key policy priorities including maritime and freight, aviation, transport resilience and security, urban development and public transport, and policies to support climate change and improved environmental outcomes.
Chris Nees, Acting Chief of Staff
Chris joined the Ministry in early 2024, and plays a key role in shaping the strategic direction of the transport sector. With a strong background in public policy and strategic planning, Chris leads initiatives that align transport priorities with national goals, ensuring that infrastructure and services support economic growth, environmental sustainability, and social wellbeing. His work involves close collaboration with government agencies, industry stakeholders, and communities to develop evidence-based strategies that guide long-term investment and policy decisions.
Before joining the Ministry, Chris has had a long career at the Treasury, as well as roles at both the Department of Conservation and Ministry for the Environment. He has a Bachelor of Applied Economics (Hons) from Massey University and enjoys applying economic principles to policy making.
Our Ministers
Hon Chris Bishop – Minister of Transport (external link)
Hon James Meager – Associate Minister of Transport (external link)
You can find the ministers contact details on our website.