Former Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Secretary Brook Barrington has been appointed Secretary of Defence to replace the outgoing Andrew Bridgman on 01 July.
Acting Public Service Commissioner Heather Baggott has today announced the appointment of Mr Brook Barrington as the Secretary of Defence and Chief Executive, Ministry of Defence.
“I am very pleased to appoint Mr Barrington to this role,” said Ms Baggott. “He is a seasoned public service leader with extensive experience in the national security and international relations sectors.
“His experience as a diplomat will also bring a strong international perspective and an awareness of the broader international security context in which the Ministry of Defence operates.”
“Mr Barrington has a demonstrated track record of building strong and effective relationships, including with Ministers. He has deep experience advising the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and other Ministers, including the Minister of Defence.”
Mr Barrington recently finished his term as the Acting Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Chief Executive at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, a role he held substantively between 2015 and 2019. From 2019 to 2024 he was Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet and Chair of the Officials Committee for Domestic and External Security Coordination.
The SECDEF designate currently sits on the Executive Advisory Group on the Defence Policy Review.
“Mr Barrington has a demonstrated track record of building strong and effective relationships, including with Ministers,” said Ms Baggott. “He has deep experience advising the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and other Ministers, including the Minister of Defence.”
Previous roles include Deputy Chief Executive at the Ministry of Justice (2012-2015), Deputy Secretary, Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Defence (2009–2012), Ambassador to Thailand, Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar from (2006 -2009.), foreign policy, trade and defence advisor at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (2002-2006), deputy Head of New Zealand Mission to the European Union (1999-2002), and Chief of Staff to the Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade (1997-1999).
Mr Barrington holds a PhD in history from Auckland University. He will take up his new role on 1 July 2024 for five years.
