Rob Campbell (economist)

Robert James Campbell, CNZM (born 1951) is a New Zealand socialist, economist, trade unionist, businessman and public servant.

[1][2] Between late February and early March 2023, Campbell was dismissed from his positions as chair of Te Whatu Ora and the Environmental Protection Authority over a social media post criticising the National Party's opposition to the government's Three Waters reform programme; which breached the Public Service Commission's neutrality policy.

[2] In 1987, Campbell resigned from both the Distribution Workers' Federation and the FOL to take up directorship roles on the boards of several private companies including the Bank of New Zealand and Sir Ron Brierley's Guinness Peat Group (GPG).

[2][1] Due to his actions, Campbell was condemned by many in the trade union movement as an "academic sellout and turncoat, spurning working class ideals in favour of capitalism.

[2] For the next 20 years, Campbell shunned media attention and other publicity opportunities in order to focus on his corporate career and work for various boards.

Campbell's remarks were criticised by several National and ACT MPs including Simeon Brown and David Seymour, who accused him of breaching the Public Service Commission's policy requiring the directors of Crown entities to remain politically neutral.

Campbell defended his remarks, stating that they were made in his capacity as a private citizen and denied that he had violated the Commission's political neutrality policy.

On 28 February, Health minister Ayesha Verrall used her discretionary powers under section 36 of the Crown Entities Act 2004 to relieve Campbell of his position as head of Te Whatu Ora.

[3][11] On 2 March, Environment Minister David Parker removed Campbell from his positions as chair and board member of the EPA over his Three Waters remarks.

[4] During a speech to the Parnell Rotary Club in July 2017, Campbell argued that business and ethics were inseparable, stating that "if our model is extractive or exploitative we will all bear the downsides of that.

Following his dismissal as Chair of Te Whatu Ora, he alleged that the health system had a "troubling culture" where those pushing for change were afraid to speak out for fear and losing their jobs.

[13] In 2017, he argued that gender diversity, Māori identity, and New Zealand's nuclear-free policy were inseparable from "the removal of economic restrictions and regulations".