Alan Bollard


Alan Esmond Bollard is a New Zealand economist and retired senior public servant. He was Secretary to the Treasury from 1998 to 2002, Governor of the Reserve Bank from 2002 to 2012, and executive director of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation secretariat from 2013 to 2018.

Early life and family

Bollard was born in Auckland on 5 June 1951. His parents were Constance Mary and Ted Bollard. He attended Owairaka Primary School, Wesley Intermediate School, and Mount Albert Grammar School. Intending to study history, he gained a PhD in economics from the University of Auckland in 1977, and was awarded an honorary Doctor of Laws by the same university in 2007.
He is married to venture capitalist Jenny Morel. They married in 1977 and have two sons.

Career

After finishing his PhD, Bollard worked overseas in New Caledonia and Europe. Returning to New Zealand in 1984, he was employed by the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research as an industrial economist. In 1987, he became the institute's director. In 1994, he was appointed chair of the Commerce Commission and held that role until February 1998 when he was appointed Secretary to the Treasury. Bollard was the first person to be appointed from outside the Treasury in 80 years and remained in his post until 2002 when he was appointed Governor of the Reserve Bank of New Zealand. On leaving his post at the Treasury, Bollard was praised by finance minister Michael Cullen for having transformed Treasury into "into a more open and outward looking organisation."
Bollard left the Reserve Bank in 2012 after completing two five-year terms. He was executive director of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation secretariat for the period of 2013 to 2018. In August 2019, the Minister for Infrastructure, Shane Jones announced the appointment of Dr Alan Bollard as chair of the new Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga. His five year term concluded in 2024 and he was succeeded by Raveen Jaduram. In October 2024, Bollard was appointed to the Tertiary [Education Commission (New Zealand)|Tertiary Education Commission] board; he was appointed board chair in May 2025 after acting in that capacity since March.

Recognition

In 1998, Bollard was elected a fellow of the Royal Society Te Apārangi. In the 2013 [New Year Honours (New Zealand)|2013 New Year Honours], Bollard was appointed a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to the State.

Writings

  • . PhD thesis.