On 1 February 2017, Martin Matthews began his seven-year term as New Zealand’s Controller and Auditor-General.

Martin has worked in the public service for more than 36 years.

He joined the (then) Audit Office in 1979 and spent the first 18 years of his career in the office. He was an Assistant Auditor-General from 1990 to 1998, holding various portfolios during this period.

Martin then spent 10 years as Chief Executive of the Ministry of Culture and Heritage. He later served as Secretary for Transport and Chief Executive of the Ministry of Transport, from 2008 to June 2016.

Martin was the select committee’s advisor on the Public Finance Act 1989 and led much of the policy design work for the Public Audit Act 2001.

As Controller and Auditor-General, Martin's principal functions and duties are set out in the Public Audit Act 2001. In summary, they are to:

• ensure that the office carries out its obligation to conduct audits of public sector bodies, and report to Parliament on the results of the audits; and
• ensure the efficient, effective, and economical management of the Office of the Auditor-General. 

Martin is a Fellow of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand, New Zealand Institute of Management, New Zealand Institute of Chartered Logistics and Transport, and Companion of the New Zealand Institute of Professional Engineers. 

STORY COURTESY OF: http://oag.govt.nz/our-people/martin-matthews