Police chief nabs the top pay slot

Police Commissioner Rob Robinson now appears to be the highest-paid person in the public service, with a pay rise of up to $70,000 in the past year taking his total remuneration to between $410,000 and $419,000.

Mr Robinson's total package, as disclosed by this year's State Service Commission annual report, could include his salary, bonuses, use of a car and superannuation.

Last year Mr Robinson was reported to earn around $350,000.

His remuneration was matched by those of Auckland University vice-chancellor John Hood, who also made $410,000 to $419,000, according to the report.

Dr Hood has left Auckland to take the helm at Oxford University.

Following Dr Hood in the tertiary sector earnings ranks was the former Lincoln University vice-chancellor Frank Wood, who retired on medical grounds last year, only days after he acknowledged a relationship with a student.

The report records Dr Wood receiving a final payout of $340,000 to $349,000.

Behind the police commissioner, the next highest-paid public servants for the year ended in June this year were the heads of the Justice Department, Belinda Clark; Health Ministry, Karen Poutasi; and Inland Revenue Department, David Butler - all in the $390,000 to $399,000 bracket.

During the same period, Ms Clark was also running the Courts Department, which merged into Justice.

Outgoing State Services Commissioner Michael Wintringham received between $360,000 and $369,000 when he left the job, including his final payout.

At the bottom end of the salaries of chief executives in the public service were the head of Archives New Zealand and the Women's Affairs Ministry, who received between $200,000 and $209,000.

In the public service, excluding the police and defence force, there were 1601 people earning more than $100,000.

Of those, 418 earned between $100,000 and $109,000, 301 between $110,000 and $119,000 and 207 between $120,000 and $129,000.

The highest-earning person, excluding chief executives, received between $360,000 and $390,000.

In the tertiary education sector 1031 people, excluding chief executives, received more than $100,000 in remuneration.

Of those 357 earned between $100,000 and $109,000 and 230 between $110,000 and $119,000. The highest earner, excluding chief executives, received between $300,000 and $309,000.

State Services Commissioner Mark Prebble said in the report that salaries of top public servants were falling behind those in the private sector.

Those at the top end earned up to $100,000 less than their private-sector equivalents. The same applied to other senior staff, who could earn more in similar positions elsewhere.

Mr Prebble said there must be "more salary movement at the top end over the next two to three years" or the gap might become so large it would be difficult to hire and retain chief executives.

- NZPA