Understanding the grassroots of his adopted country is important to Gabriel Makhlouf, secretary and chief executive officer of the Treasury.
Yesterday he visited Tauranga for the first time and met dozens of local business owners and representatives.
Mr Makhlouf has been the CEO of the powerful Government department for just over a year, and recently gained citizenship having lived in New Zealand for just over two years.
As a leading adviser on financial and economical policies, the Treasury wields considerable influence on the Government of the day.
"As a Government department we have access to lots of data, but it can't beat talking to people before deciding on policies," Mr Makhlouf said.