Whitehead joined Treasury in 1982, subsequently filling positions as Director of Macroeconomic Policy and Director of Tax Policy and International Economics. He was appointed Deputy Secretary and Branch Manager of Corporate Services in 1996. Between 1985 and 1992, he worked as an Economic Adviser in the
Prime Minister's Office and
David Lange's
government (1985–88), and as a Minister (Economic) at the
New Zealand High Commission in London. After acting in the role, Whitehead was appointed as Treasury Secretary and chief executive on 8 April 2003 and served in that role until 31 May 2011. In the
2011 Queen's Birthday Honours, Whitehead was appointed a
Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, for services as Secretary to the Treasury. ==World Bank==