Stuart McCutcheon earned between $660,000 and $699,999.
The total collective pay of senior New Zealand public servants and chief executives is at the lowest level in six years and is expected to stay low based on the weak inflation outlook, the State Services Commission said in its annual remuneration report.
Public service chief executives earned a total
of $11.58 million in the year ended June 30, the lowest level since 2008 and $500,000 less than last year, reflecting reduced numbers of chief executives, cost control and a long-standing vacancy. The average increase for a chief executive was 2.8 per cent in the year, with the outlook for future rises to be between 2.6 per cent and 3 per cent, as a result of recent collective bargaining.
"Chief executive remuneration requires a careful balance between ensuring we can attract and retain highly qualified and skilled leaders for New Zealand's public institutions while being prudent and restrained when spending public money," said Iain Rennie, State Services Commissioner and one of the highest paid public sector CEOs.
The number of taxpayer funded staff earning more than $100,000, excluding chief executives, increased 11 per cent.
