Our Director

Nicky McDonald, incoming Director of the Office for Seniors

Nicky McDonald starts as Director of the Office for Seniors on 25 August 2025.

Nicky McDonald brings over 30 years of dedicated public service leadership to the Office for Seniors. She is a seasoned leader with extensive expertise in ageing population policy, strategic development, and local, national, and international government relations.

“This is a wonderful opportunity. I’m eager to learn from and work with partners and communities to make a real difference for older people.”

Professional background

Before joining the Office for Seniors, Nicky held a variety of central and local government roles, most recently as Group Manager Strategy and Communications at Nelson City Council.

In this role she provided strategic advice to the Chief Executive and Council and oversaw communications, community consultation, legal advice, the economic portfolio and development of a wide range of policies and strategies.

As Nelson City Council’s Artificial Intelligence Lead, Nicky championed innovative technologies, successfully trialling an AI initiative supporting older residents. She also led local projects promoting employment opportunities for older workers and was a member of the Office for Seniors’ Age-Friendly Aotearoa Expert Advisory Board.

Research & Innovation in Ageing

Nicky was awarded a Winston Churchill Fellowship in 2016 and completed an international fellowship on ageing demographics.

Diplomatic and International Experience

Nicky began her career with New Zealand’s diplomatic service, serving internationally for a decade. Her roles included First Secretary at the United Nations in New York, Counsellor at the New Zealand High Commission in Fiji, and Deputy High Commissioner in India.

A new challenge

Nicky says she is excited about the opportunity to work on age-friendly issues at a national level.

“The population transition New Zealand is undergoing is transforming communities across the country.  It is more important than ever that the growing number of older New Zealanders are valued and supported.”

“I'm excited to work with my new team and build on the Office’s successes in advancing age-friendly initiatives.”