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lyn provost Getting to Know Lyn Provost Controller and Auditor-General Lyn Provost became New Zealand's first female Auditor-General in October 2009. She is one of this country's most influential women and as Auditor-General her job is to improve the performance of, and the public's trust in, the public sector. LYN IS A FELLOW OF the New Zealand Institute of Chartered Accountants (NZICA) and she is on the governing board of INTOSAI (International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions). She is also Secretary-General of PASAI (the Pacific Association of Supreme Audit Institutions). Before being appointed as Auditor-General, Lyn served in many senior roles in the public sector including, the Audit Office (as it was formerly named), and the State Services Commission. She was also acting Chief Executive of Archives New Zealand where she was guardian of the suffrage petition and the Treaty of Waitangi. In 2002 she became the first woman and civilian to be Deputy Commissioner of New Zealand Police. Lyn is married to Paul and they have a daughter and a son. Q: What does a usual 'day in the office' demand for New Zealand's Auditor-General? A: I don't think 'usual' would be a word I'd use to describe any day as Auditor-General! Every day is different. Typically my day starts early. If I'm in Wellington I'll be at my office between 7.00 a.m. and 8.00 a.m. If I'm travelling, which is usually once or twice a week, I'm at the airport or on a plane at that time. And, if I'm out of town, I'm usually on the phone, while packing and checking my itinerary! My office is responsible for auditing all public entities – around 4,000 in total. So, in any week I could be visiting chief executives or board chairs, discussing audit matters with accounting experts, or considering audit opinions or technical accounting issues. I give Parliament assurance that public entities are delivering what they have been asked to. That means I'm often reviewing a report, or two, or three, before it's tabled in Parliament. I'm also reading letters from members of the public, or being briefed by my staff about our inquiries into a public entity's use of its resources. I do a lot of public speaking, at conferences, roundtable events, and seminars – I'm almost always working on a speech or presentation. I have 350 staff in two business units, so I'm often talking to staff, and giving presentations or chairing leadership meetings. All the while, I'll be thinking about how to improve public accountability in New Zealand – that's my overall aim. It's a demanding role, I'm definitely kept busy, but I really enjoy being kept on my toes. THIS PHOTO: Lyn with police dog Edge on Police Remembrance Day in September 2009. Senior Constable Dave Whyte and his dog Edge (in the photo with Lyn) received the Gold Merit Award for disarming a man who stabbed himself before stabbing the dog. 32 | www.hermagazine.co.nz Q: At age 18 you moved from your birthplace of Gisborne to Wellington to study accountancy at Victoria University. What was the attraction of the accounting world in your young adult years? A: Accountancy was my best subject at school, and it seemed a good profession to fulfil my desire to travel. My main aim at that time was to save money to travel! Q: What was your first significant role in leadership and what did you learn from it? A: Very early in my career I led a large team of experts and auditors in