Griffen Ritchie

A passion for storytelling fuelled Griffen’s interest in History, a passion he now puts to use in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.

I have always had an interest in storytelling and the stories of the past and had enjoyed taking history and classics in high school, which led me to continue this focus at university. I majored in Film and History for my Bachelor of Arts and did an Honours year in History. I enjoyed the range of courses available in the History programme and chose not to focus on any one period of history too closely.

After completing my studies I joined the Honours Unit of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet as an advisor. It is a small team that runs all of the behind-the-scenes processes for the recognition of those who have served their communities or demonstrated merit in their field through the New Zealand royal honours system. I initially applied for a contract role processing nominations for a Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Hundreds of nominations are received every year from the public recommending people for an honour and each nomination must be summarised for consideration.

Being able to write clearly and succinctly to convey a point is crucial to representing the history of a nominee and their lifetime of service or achievement. I use research and analytical skills and constantly focus on fine details to ensure our business processes run smoothly. My role has been fascinating and has allowed me to immerse myself in the personal histories of thousands of New Zealanders, as well as coming to understand the rich history and often quirky traditions of royal honours systems.

I am now a senior advisor in the Honours Unit, which has seen me expand my skills into other areas. This has included relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders such as Government House and ministers of the Crown, assisting the Cabinet Office with election work programmes and other projects, and IT components of the honours system including database and web content management.

For those interested in studying History, a good foundation in New Zealand history is becoming increasingly valuable in the public service, and I would definitely recommend undertaking Honours. The focus on methodology and theory at that level is extremely helpful in honing practical skills and a self-directed work ethic. My Honours year threw me in with a great group of people with a similar passion for history. The support of like-minded students is of great benefit and overcoming the challenges together made the year entertaining and rewarding.