John Capper

Since joining us in 2022, John has worked both in Aotearoa and in the Pacific on a range of tough assignments, finding ways to pull teams and workstreams together to achieve results.

John’s earlier public-service experience includes working both in the Beehive and in departmental head offices. He also represented Aotearoa overseas in MFAT roles, including as Ambassador to Chile, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, and Ecuador, working to raise New Zealand’s profile and improve trade access along South America’s Pacific coast.

As a leader with the NZ Aid Programme John managed significant portfolios of aid investments, looking for ways to make more impact in Pacific countries.

Examples of John's work

• Working with the Pacific Islands Chiefs of Police (PICP), a Pacific regional organisation, to refresh its five-year strategy and operating model after a review found it needed to clarify and agree its role with its members
• Working with the Vanuatu National Security Council Secretariat to assess the pros and cons of separating the Vanuatu Mobile Force from the Police to establish a stand-alone military
• Independent design lead for the next five-year phase of the Bougainville Community Policing Programme, working with the Autonomous Bougainville Government, Bougainville Police Service, NZ MFAT, and NZ Police
• Supporting Ara Ake (formerly the National New Energy Development Centre), to re-design its project-management framework, from idea through to closing.