Azienda Mia

About

Caron Mounsey-Smith

I have spent more than 20 years working with New Zealand government agencies, Crown entities and councils. I help organisations decide where they want to go, plan how to get there, and report clearly on how they are doing. I also support boards with the papers, systems and processes they need to govern well.

I enjoy working alongside the people I contract with, and I care about public services that make a real difference to communities.

Qualifications and recognition

Education

  • Sustainability Pathway Programme, ISD 2024
  • Governance training, Institute of Directors NZ 2023
  • Strategic Management in the Public Sector, VUW School of Government 2008
  • Futures Thinking and Strategy Development, Melbourne Business School, Mt Eliza 2005
  • Masters of Heritage Conservation, University of Sydney 1995
  • Bachelor of Town Planning, University of Auckland 1987
  • Bachelor of Science, Victoria University of Wellington 1985

Awards and scholarships

  • Australasian Reporting Awards 2018
  • National Trust NSW–Energy Australia Award/Scholarship 1999
  • Royal Australian Planning Institute Award 1998
  • NZ Planning Institute Study Award 1994

Agencies I have worked with

  • Water Safety New Zealand 2021–2024
  • Tertiary Education Commission 2018, 2020
  • Office of the Auditor-General 2019–2020
  • Ministry of Health 2019
  • Victoria University of Wellington 2019
  • Statistics New Zealand 2017
  • Ministry for Primary Industries 2013–2016
  • Wellington City Council 2016
  • Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Authority 2015
  • Land Information New Zealand 2003–2014
  • New Zealand Customs Service 2012–2013
  • Ministry of Justice, District Courts 2011–2012
  • Department of Conservation 2011–2012
  • Sport and Recreation New Zealand 2006–2009

Earlier career

My career began in town planning and heritage, first in New Zealand with Auckland City Council and the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, then in Sydney, where I completed a Masters of Heritage Conservation and worked in heritage for local and state government. Back in New Zealand I moved into public sector strategy and policy, and that grounding in planning still shapes how I think about long-term change.

Outside my consulting work, I also run a small importing business, NZ Final Drives.