Mike Pannett has been appointed as a statutory Deputy Commissioner of Police.
The Deputy Police Commissioner works with the Commissioner of Police - currently Richard Chambers - and the executive leadership team to address changing demands, improve public safety and maintain trust and confidence in policing.
The role had been vacant since Deputy Commissioner of Police Jevon McSkimming resigned in May following serious allegations of possessing objectionable publications, namely child sexual exploitation and bestiality material.
McSkimming is being sentenced on those charges today.
Today, Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he was pleased to appoint Pannett — who has served in the police for more than 40 years and in 2010 was appointed as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) — into the role.
"He is a highly experienced and respected leader with more than 40 years in policing. He has shown strong leadership in complex and high-pressure situations, both in New Zealand and overseas," Mitchell said.
"The Government is focused on strengthening frontline capability, increasing visibility, upholding standards, and building strong partnerships with communities."
The Policing Act 2008 allowed for one or more statutory Deputy Commissioner of Police roles to be appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.
"The Government is appointing one statutory Deputy Commissioner, and the other Deputy Commissioner appointment will be made by the Police Commissioner," he said.
Chambers welcomed the announcement, describing Pannett as "a thoroughly decent person with integrity and determination and has the leadership experience needed for this position".
"I want to congratulate Mike on his appointment after a lengthy and very thorough selection process," he said.
"This appointment means I can now establish my wider leadership team after what has been a challenging period.
"I will commence the appointment process for a second, non-statutory Deputy Commissioner immediately and expect to finalise an appointment early in 2026."
"I also expect to announce new Assistant Commissioners soon to fill vacancies at that level.
“Implementing the recommendations of the IPCA report will be an immediate focus for the new leadership team. Work is already underway on that important work.
“We have a big job to do and my focus is very firmly on doing that job to ensure we maintain and build on trust and confidence of both the public and the frontline,” Chambers said.
Pannett said he felt "very privileged and excited about this opportunity and will do my best for the men and women of NZ Police, and the communities we all serve".
"There are 15,000 dedicated staff in police and I want to ensure people understand the difficult job they do, day and night, and the dedication they show.
"I look forward to being part of a leadership team that focuses on the front line and the communities they serve."
An extensive career in the NZ Police
Pannett was currently Assistant Commissioner, International and National Security, and in 2024 was Assistant Commissioner – Deployment and Intelligence. He has acted as Deputy Commissioner in several portfolios.
For his first 30 years in police, he was based in Auckland and Northland, where he became Northland District Crime Services Manager. He established and led the Northland District Intelligence Unit, overseeing a number of high-profile homicide and organised crime investigations.
From 2020 to 2023, he was seconded to lead the Australian Federal Police (AFP) International Command, based in Canberra and working on global policing including Interpol activities. He was the first police officer to be a sworn Assistant Commissioner simultaneously in both Australia and New Zealand.
Pannett was District Commander in Southern Police District in 2015-2016 prior to being appointed Assistant Commissioner - National Security and International in 2016 and was National Commander for the 2019 Christchurch Mosque attacks.
His career has included four years in Washington DC as Senior Liaison Officer to the US, Canada, Central and Southern America (2011 – 2015).
He was promoted to lead intelligence operations at the newly established National Intelligence Unit at PNHQ in 2009
In 2010, Pannett was invested as a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit (MNZM) for services to New Zealand Police and holds multiple citations for leadership and service.
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