Executive Leader Development Programme

The Executive Leader Development Programme provides an experiential 9 month learning journey to elevate executive leadership practice. It has been tailored for executive public service leaders.

Now more than ever, New Zealand Public Service leaders are being called upon to lead in a way that delivers results and navigates current challenges whilst also looking ahead at future risks and uncertainties. They need to be bold, clear, calm, and connected to themselves and each other across the system so they can deliver in an increasingly complex, ever changing and fast paced Aotearoa and global context.  

Through immersive residentials, practical development experiences, coaching and workshops leaders will hone their leadership practice collectively and individually.

Spaces are limited with nominations opening 10 February and closing 21 March 2025. The 2025 cohort starts mid-May 2025 and finishes February 2026.

Programme framework. Circle with four segements Lead Self, Lead Performance, Lead for context, Lead for Future.Programme outcomes

This programme will help leaders to: 

  • Hone self-awareness. Practice intentional leadership with deep awareness of strengths and derailers, enabling them to expertly manage self and wellbeing.
  • Drive a high-performance culture. Increase effectiveness and efficiency.
  • Expand focus beyond agency view and context. Strategically collaborate in a system context for maximum impact.
  • Be comfortable influencing. Ministerial relationships, dealing with media and navigating Māori Crown Relationship.
  • Manage pressure of a senior role. Communicate effectively, representing the agency with composure and influence in high-stake and/or complex situation.
  • Strengthen career planning, including how to navigate gaps that may be holding them back.

View PDF for detailed programme framework [PDF, 164 KB]

Investment: $19,000+ GST for member agency participants or $24,000 + GST for non-member agency participants.

Aimed at high potential, high performing Public Service leaders in tier 2-3 roles, leaders must:  

  • bring a minimum of 12 months experience leading across complex ecosystems or operating at a sector and cross-system level making a strategic impact across all settings.
  • be a member or strong contributor of the executive leadership team. 
  • demonstrate aspiration to progress and actively develop areas of focus to increase readiness for next executive role. 
  • operate in a role where external influencing skills are important for success which includes significant stakeholders like Government and Ministers, iwi, council, or across the private sector. 
  • have the endorsement of their chief executive. 



A small cohort of 16 leaders begin their development with a comprehensive 360 assessment and coach debrief. The programme is book-ended by two immersive four-day residentials, providing space to reflect, ideate, connect, and grow through hands-on, practical development experiences.

Through the spine of the programme, leaders balance individual and collective learning. With project-based learning a key element, leaders will tackle complex challenges drawn from system priorities through stakeholder collaboration, creative problem-solving methods, and panel-style presentations. On an individual level, they will have access to coaching and development planning support.

Leaders will be also put through their paces through active development experiences based on common challenges experienced at this level, such as engagements with ministers, committees and media.

Throughout the programme, leaders get a rare opportunity to learn from seasoned Public Service chief executives.

Leaders are expected to be able to commit fully to:

In-person sessions (all in Wellington region)

  • 3-hour kick off session: 9am-12pm, 13 May 2025
  • 4-day residential #1: 15-18 Jul 2025
  • Three 3-hour workshops: 9am-12pm 16 Sep, 9am-12pm 30 Oct, 9am-12pm 9 Dec 2025
  • 4-day residential #2: 17-20 Feb 2026

Individual coaching

  • 360 assessment debrief
  • 2 coaching sessions
  • 2 development conversations

Self-directed project work

Approximately 50 hours for project-based group work.

Total commitment to your development

Approximately 150 hours in total across in-person sessions, individual coaching and self-directed project work. This may count towards your current professional development requirements.

Application process

Applications open 10 February and close 5pm, 21 March 2025. As part of your application you must have chief executive endorsement.

More information

Email ldcprogrammes@ldc.govt.nz with any questions.