New Deputy Controller and Auditor-General

Following a unanimous recommendation by the Officers of Parliament Committee, Parliament has appointed Andrew McConnell as the next Deputy Controller and Auditor-General.

Andrew joins us from the Ministry for Primary Industries where he is currently Acting Deputy Director-General Te Uru Rākau – New Zealand Forest Service, having previously been its Deputy Director-General Compliance and Governance and Director Māori Agribusiness. Before this, he held senior roles at the Department of Internal Affairs and the Ministry of Justice. Andrew also worked at the Office of the Auditor-General as a Sector Manager from 2000 to 2010. Andrew’s iwi affiliation is Ngāti Porou.

Andrew’s first day with us will be 1 May. Greg Schollum, who has served as Deputy Controller and Auditor-General since 2015 will retire from the role on 30 April. Greg has made an immense contribution to the Office, New Zealand’s public sector, and to the accounting and auditing profession both in New Zealand and internationally during his career.

The Deputy Controller and Auditor-General is appointed under the Public Audit Act 2001 in the same way as the Controller and Auditor-General, and is also an Officer of Parliament. The Deputy has the same responsibilities under the Act as the Auditor-General, but to be carried out subject to the Auditor-General's control.