The Office of the Public Service Commissioner has worked continuously to reform and improve the public management system to ensure the Public Service meets the needs of Cook Islanders.

Mr Russell Thomas

Mr Russell Thomas served as the Public Service Commissioner from 2012. He has had a long career in the Cook Islands public sector. He served for 14 years as an interpreter for the Cook Islands Parliamentary Services. He later joined the Office of the Public Service Commissioner in 1996 as a Management Officer and was the Chief Executive Officer from 2002-2009. Thereafter he joined the Aid Management Division of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Management (MFEM). Mr Thomas graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (Management/Education) in 2001 and completed a Master in Business Administration with the University of the South Pacific (USP), Cook Islands Campus in 2008.

Mr Navy Epati

Mr Navy Epati was appointed as the Public Service Commissioner from 2006 - 2012. His career in the Cook Islands public service since 1990 started as a Senior Administration Officer for MFEM; followed by leadership roles within the Office of the Public Service Commissioner and as Secretary of the Ministry of Marine Resources.​

Mr Joseph Caffery

Mr Joseph Caffery served as the Public Commissioner from 2005 to 2006. Prior to that appointment, Caffery was the Chief of Staff for Office of the Prime Minister from 2003 to 2005, Consulate General in Auckland New Zealand, Secretary of Trade, Labour and Transport, Secretary to Cabinet Services, Clerk of Parliament, Audit Officer to the Cooperative Society, and Chief Executive Officer for the Cook Island Investment Corporation.