Media statement:
The State Services Commissioner, Iain Rennie, today released the 2011 election guidance for State servants.
The role of the New Zealand State Services is to serve the government of the day without political bias towards one party or another. Politically neutral State Services are a cornerstone of New Zealand’s democratic system - ensuring continuity of government functions regardless of political parties involved. State servants must act with loyalty to the government of the day and to successive governments, and they must work to maintain public confidence in the institutions of government by continuing to demonstrate their commitment to Ministers’ priorities and policies.
While the ordinary business of government continues during election time, there are likely to be restraints on government decision making, and an increased focus on the behaviour of State servants, their political roles and responsibilities as individuals, and the operations of State services agencies during the election period.
For this reason, the State Services Commission issues election guidance to State servants to ensure that during the election period, and until the formation of the new Government, State servants are clear about how to continue to serve Ministers professionally and apolitically.
The State Services Commission 2011 Election Guidance includes guidance on topics such as:
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Advertising and communications
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Political rights of State servants
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OIA releases during election period
Read the full Election Guidance for State servants www.ssc.govt.nz/election-guidance-2011
ENDS
