Karen Jones

Karen joined Waka Kotahi in March 2020. She is passionate about working in large operational organizations and in roles that make a difference to New Zealanders. She is motivated by the Waka Kotahi mandate to keep our country moving and to reduce harm through a safer land transport network.

Karen has a strong background in central government leadership. Before joining Waka Kotahi, she was Deputy Director of General People and Engagement at the Department of Conservation where she led the human resources, organizational development, health and safety, security, customer engagement, and office of the executive teams.

Karen’s other previous roles include a secondment to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet as Executive Director of Strategy, Governance, and Engagement where she led the corporate support functions and assisted with the establishment of the new National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). She also spent more than five years working in the executive team at NZ Police as Deputy Chief Executive of Public Affairs, leading the internal and external communications, channels, media, social media, engagement, and recruitment marketing functions.