14 Facts About Don Hunn

Donald Kent Hunn was born on Wellington 26 December 1934 and is a senior New Zealand diplomat and civil servant.

Don Hunn attended Wellington College and Victoria University of Wellington, where he earned a Master of Arts in History.

Don Hunn joined the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs in 1957.

In 1976, Don Hunn became New Zealand's first resident High Commissioner to the Kingdom of Tonga.

In 1980, Don Hunn was appointed Deputy High Commissioner to Canberra.

Don Hunn returned to New Zealand in 1982 as a State Services Commissioner.

In 1986, Don Hunn succeeded Roderick Deane as chief commissioner, and head of New Zealand's public service.

In 1989, after a change in the legislation, Don Hunn became the sole commissioner.

In 1990, Don Hunn was awarded the New Zealand 1990 Commemoration Medal.

Don Hunn conducted a range of consulting assignments for foreign governments, as well as the New Zealand government, around state sector reform.

Don Hunn has been appointed to chair numerous New Zealand government reviews and inquiries, including the 1999 review of the activities of the Department of Work and Income, a review of "leaky building syndrome", the review of the 1999 General Election, the review of the organisation of Defence Services in New Zealand, among many others.

Don Hunn is presently a Fellow of the Victoria University School of Government, and a fellow of the New Zealand Institute of Public Administration.

Don Hunn served on the board of the Royal New Zealand Ballet for a period until February 2012.

Don Hunn married Janine Tattersfield in the 1960s, and the couple went on to have two children.